As the final round of peace talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan in Istanbul fell flat, the Taliban government on Saturday said it has a right to defend itself in case of a war.

Afghan government spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said Saturday that Pakistan’s “unreasonable demands” derailed the talks, which ended in Istanbul late Friday after two days of meetings mediated by Turkey and Qatar.

“The meeting ended and the talks are at a standstill for now,” Mujahid told reporters in the southern city of Kandahar.

“We do not want insecurity in the region, and entering into war is not our first choice. But if war breaks out, we have the right to defend ourselves.”

He reiterated that Afghanistan would not allow its soil to be used against any other country and would not tolerate actions threate

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