Iran Opposes Kabul Security Deal With U.S.

The Iranian statement comes ahead of Afghan President Hamid Karzai's expected visit to Tehran next week.

Iran says it opposes a security pact between Afghanistan and the United States.

Iran's Foreign Ministry on December 3 asked Kabul not to sign the Bilateral Security Agreement with Washington.

The security agreement could clear the way for the United States to keep thousands of troops in Afghanistan after 2014.

Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said that Tehran did not consider the pact "useful for the long-term expedience and interests of Afghanistan."

She added that Iran views the deal as having "negative effects on the trend of regional issues."

The Iranian statement comes ahead of Afghan President Hamid Karzai's expected visit to Tehran next week.

Karzai has endorsed the deal but introduced new conditions before approving it.

He also wants to defer the signing of the agreement to his successor, who will be chosen in an April election.

Based on reporting by AFP and AP