Iran Urges Restraint in Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi called on both the Azerbaijan Republic and Armenia to show restraint and make every effort to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through peaceful means as tensions between the two Caucasian states ran high again.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran calls on its two northern neighbors to exercise restraint and advises the two sides to make every effort to restore tranquility (to the region) and resolve the conflicts through dialogue,” Qassemi said in a statement late on Sunday.
He further expressed the hope that the international organizations, which are responsible for resolving the dispute, meet their duty to help put an end to the conflict.
The Iranian spokesman also emphasized that the Islamic Republic is ready to assist and cooperate with both sides to help restore peace to the region.
The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan confirmed, in a written statement, a new skirmish erupted at the contact line between Azerbaijan and Armenia in Nagorno-Karabakh killing troops from both sides on Saturday.
“On February 25, military units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces destroyed the permanent firing position, shelling positions and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) of the Armenian side,” the statement read.
Noting that the Azerbaijani side “suffered losses”, the statement does not specify the number of the soldiers killed in the fighting, according to the Azeri media outlets.
Nagorno-Karabakh has been under the control of Armenian military and separatists since a war between Armenia and Azerbaijan ended in 1994. Years of negotiations have brought little progress in resolving the dispute.
Fighting on Saturday marked the worst clashes since 1994, said David Babayan, spokesman for the region's separatist president.