WASHINGTON – A resurgent Taliban is back in charge over parts of Afghanistan, the nation’s chief intelligence official said Wednesday in an assessment that differed from the one made last month by Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

Majlis Speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel said here Wednesday that the Islamic Republic Army has the duty to defend and safeguard the country’s independence and territorial integrity.

Iran’s ambassador in Russia said there are consultations between Iran, Russia, Algeria and Qatar to establish a gas cooperation organization like ” OPEC”.