Tehran says Karabakh conflict to broaden insecurity in region

/By Azernews/

By Nazrin Gadimova

The continuation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will broaden the insecurity that has already covered the area.

Spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Jaber Ansari made the remark while talking to a press conference held in Tehran on April 25.

Iran has announced readiness to render any assistance to both countries, Ansari said. “If the two conflicting sides make any request to Iran, we will play a more active role in resolving the conflict,” he stressed.

Armenia captured 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s internationally recognized territories as a result of 1992-94 war. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations and signing of another agreement on truce in 1995. However, Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

“As long as the sides have not urged Iran to render assistance, we will do everything possible through international procedures to be accepted by both countries,” the spokesperson concluded.

Earlier, Mahmoud Vaezi, Iran’s Communications and Information Technology Minister said Iran is interested in ensuring peace and security in the region, noting the importance of expanding cooperation in fighting against terrorism, radicalism and regional threats.

Ali Larijani, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, also announced that that Karabakh conflict is one of the main regional issues under the focus of Tehran. Iran and Russia must use every efforts and opportunities to convince Azerbaijan and Armenia to settle the conflict politically, according to Larijani.

Iran, Azerbaijan’s southern neighbor and one of the main actors in the region, has repeatedly declared its readiness to help in resolving the long-lasting conflict that emerged as a result of Armenia’s aggressive policy towards Azerbaijan in early 1990s.

Tehran has repeatedly stated about its support of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan.