TEHRAN, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry Tuesday called on Afghanistan's caretaker Taliban government to reveal more details about the killing of eight Iranian diplomats and one journalist in a "terrorist" attack in the Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif 25 years ago.
In a statement posted on its website, the ministry condemned the "bitter and unforgettable" incident on its anniversary, honored those who lost their lives and called on the Taliban government to provide "clarity" on the incident.
On Aug. 8, 1998, during the Afghan civil war, the Iranian consulate general in Mazar-i-Sharif was attacked after the Taliban entered the city. Eight Iranian diplomats and a journalist was killed in the attack, which the ministry statement said was "in contradiction with the moral, humanitarian and international commitments."
After the attack, Iran blamed the Taliban for the killing, but the Taliban denied responsibility, saying the Iranians were killed by "renegade forces" who had acted without orders. ■
