Afghanistan Tuesday announced its readiness to help reduce tension between its western neighbor the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States if they ask for, Presidential spokesman Mohammad Karim Rahimi said.

"Afghanistan always supports peace and wants the regional disputes to be solved through negotiations in the framework of international laws and that is why Afghanistan is ready to play positive role if asked," Rahimi told newsmen at a press briefing here.

Afghanistan's newly appointed Foreign Minister Rangeen Dadfar Spanta in his recent interview with a German newspaper also expressed Kabul's readiness to mediate between Tehran and Washington over Iran's nuclear program, which the White House has been strongly opposing.

Iran describes the program solely for peaceful purposes while the U.S. termed it a weapon-oriented one and opposed it.

Rahimi's comment is taking place weeks ahead of President Hamid Karzai's official visit to Iran.

"Matters pertaining bilateral relations and regional issues will come under discussion during Karzai's visit to Iran," he noted but declined to give the exact date of the tour.

Source: Xinhua