An unnamed official with the Foreign Ministry dismissed as "propaganda" recent allegations by Human Rights Watchdog that Iran has recruited thousands of Afghans, some by coercion, to fight in Syria's war alongside forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
"It is known that Afghan nationals exist on both sides of the Syria fighting. But it cannot be conclusively determined how they have ended up in Syria as recruits," the source was quoted as saying by ISNA on Tuesday.
"Terrorist groups such as Daesh [an Arabic acronym for the self-styled Islamic State] have recruited forces from various countries, including Afghanistan, with support from their backers in Iraq and Syria."
The watchdog's report claimed at least two dozen Afghan interviewees said they or their relatives had been recruited or coerced by the Iranian authorities to fight in Syria.
"Based on documented evidence, some of the Afghan fighters were residents of Syria and others traveled from Afghanistan, some through Iran," the source added.
Tehran rejects having any boots on the ground and insists its commanders and generals are acting as "military advisers" in Syria and Iraq.
