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Karzai said his government, which came to power after the overthrow the Taliban in 2001, should not be used to attack the Islamic republic.

"Afghanistan should not become the battleground of differences of any country", Karzai said. "Afghanistan does not want its soil to be used against any country and Afghanistan wants to be a friend of Iran as a neighbor which shares the same language and religion."

In an interview with RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan, Karzai said Afghanistan should not be drawn into the middle of a fight between Iran and the United States.

Afghanistan has been able to "balance its relations with various competing powers", Karzai said.

"I hope that the same level of understanding continues to prevail in both countries and Afghanistan never turns into a battleground for competing interests of any states", Karzai said.

Karzai said his government has encouraged talks between Iran and Washington.

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