Iran FM calls for immediate cessation of hostilities, Yerevan-Baku dialogue

Iran’s foreign minister has reacted to the latest round of military confrontation in South Caucasus, emphasizing that the Islamic Republic is ready to do all in its power to restore peace to that region, because "our region needs peace now."

Mohammad Javad Zarif made the remarks in a Twitter post on Sunday, in which he called for “an immediate end to hostilities,” and urging, “dialogue to resolve differences.”

Iran’s foreign minister also indicated the Islamic Republic’s readiness to "provide good offices to enable talks" between Yerevan and Baku, emphasizing that "our neighbors are our priority."

Iran is closely monitoring the alarming violence in Nagorno-Karabakh. We call for an immediate end to hostilities and urge dialogue to resolve differences.

Our neighbors are our priority and we are ready to provide good offices to enable talks.

Our region needs peace now.

— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) September 27, 2020

Zarif also had separate phone calls with Azerbaijan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov and his Armenian counterpart, Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, during which he discussed with them the latest situation on the ground in the region.

Iran's foreign minister urged both sides to show self-restraint, while calling for an immediate end to hostilities and start of negotiations within framework of international law.

Zarif expressed Tehran's readiness to use all its capacities to establish ceasefire and help facilitate bilateral talks between Yerevan and Baku.

Earlier on Sunday, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman called on Azerbaijan and Armenia to exercise restraint and engage in negotiations in the wake of recent military clashes between the two sides over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran is closely monitoring military conflicts between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia with concern, and while inviting both parties to show self-restraint, calls for immediate cessation of clashes and initiation of talks between the two countries,” Saeed Khatibzadeh said.

He added that Tehran is ready to employ all its capacities to help establish ceasefire and start peace talks between the two sides.

Tensions flared up in South Caucasus on Sunday, with Armenia accusing Azerbaijan of shelling Karabakh and Baku accusing Armenian-backed rebels of attacking Azeri military and civilian positions.

Azerbaijan, Armenia engage in fresh flareup; Russia, Turkey urge end to clashes

Tensions have flared in the South Caucasus, with Armenia accusing Azerbaijan of shelling Karabakh and Baku accusing Armenian-backed rebels of attacking Azeri military and civilian positions.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Sunday the country had declared martial law and total military mobilization.

Karabakh is an Azerbaijani territory, but ethnic Azeris fled the territory in 1992 when Armenian separatists seized it in a move supported by Yerevan after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Azerbaijan and Armenia frequently accuse each other of attacks around Karabakh and along the separate Azeri-Armenian frontier.

New casualties on second day of clashes on Azerbaijan-Armenia border

The both sides have accused one another of encroaching on their territory.

The new clashes follow a flare-up along their border in July which claimed the lives of 17 soldiers from both sides. In April 2016, some 110 people were killed in the most serious fighting in years.

Read more:

• Armenia, Azerbaijan must solve Karabakh dispute through peaceful means: Iran
• Two Azerbaijani soldiers killed in clashes with Armenian forces on border
• Armenia-Azerbaijan border clashes: Iran ready to help ease tensions

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