Amid Karabakh fighting, Iran warns will not tolerate insecurity along borders

Iran’s interior minister says the country will not tolerate any form of insecurity along its borders amid ongoing armed clashes between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the neighboring Armenia.

“We have advised and also warned neighboring countries that we will not tolerate insecurity and intervention and any other measures, which might be aimed at compromising security of our people along borders regions,” Abdolreza Rahmani-Fazli told reporters on Monday, Tasnim news agency reported.

The minister’s comments came after officials in the northwestern Iranian province of East Azarbaijan reported that mortar shells fired by the warring sides in the latest round of fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan had hit border rural areas in Iran.

According to reports, one of the mortar shells that hit a village in Khoda-Afarin County injured a six-year-old child and caused horror among people.

Asked about the border incident on Monday, Rahmani-Fazli said, “Something has happened between the two countries in the north of our country. The Interior Ministry gives the highest priority to internal security from borders all the way to the remotest parts of the country.”

The minister expressed hope that this problem would be solved through observance of the principles of international law, which call for respect for national sovereignty and the rights of all countries.

“A number of mortal shells have hit areas in our country and we have asked them (warring sides) to control this situation, but if it continues, we will give them stronger warning,” the interior minister said.

Spokesman: Both parties to conflict should respect law of war

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman also took to his Twitter post urging both parties to the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh to respect the law of war.

“The warring parties should respect the law of war & avoid targeting civilians,” Saeed Khatibzadeh said on Monday, adding that Iran is closely following the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh and remains in touch with all parties.”

The Iranian spokesman also called on all involved parties to agree on immediate ceasefire and move toward “time-bound political talks.”

Closely following conflict in #NagornoKarabakh & remain in touch w/ all parties.
The warring parties should respect the law of war & avoid targeting civilians.
We call for immediate ceasefire, respect for #Azerbaijan's territorial integrity & time-bound political talks.

— Saeed Khatibzadeh (@SKhatibzadeh) October 5, 2020

The military confrontation between Azerbaijan and Armenia that erupted over the South Caucasus region of Karabakh more than a week ago, has now expanded to cities outside the conflict zone with no signs of abating, despite international calls for immediate ceasefire.

Nagorno-Karabakh conflict enters week 2: Armenia, Azerbaijan still trading fire

Fierce fighting continues between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the Karabakh region, with no signs of abating.

Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of the Republic of Azerbaijan, but it has been under Armenia’s control since the early 1990s. The territory declared independence from Azerbaijan in 1991.

The recent clashes — the worst in decades — erupted on September 27, with both Yerevan and Baku accusing each other of provocation.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman on Saturday gave a stern warning to the sides involved in the military clashes against violating the Islamic Republic's territory.

Iran says any violation of its territory by Nagorno-Karabakh conflicting sides ‘intolerable’

Iran says it has given a stern warning to the warring sides over the Nagorno-Karabakh region against violation of its territory.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has been monitoring the movements along our country’s border areas with seriousness and great sensitivity,” Saeed Khatibzadeh told reporters when asked about the reports of violation of Iran’s territory during the ongoing clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, the Iranian spokesperson also announced the general outlines of a plan for the resolution of the Karabakh conflict.

Iran says has drawn up plan for resolution of Karabakh conflict

Iran has announced the general outlines of a plan for the resolution of the Karabakh conflict which has flared since last week.

Khatibzadeh said Tehran’s proposal is based on "respecting the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and withdrawal of military forces from the occupied cities".

Read more:

• Iran’s Rouhani urges restraint over Karabakh dispute, warns of new war in region
• Iran, Turkey, Russia can help solve Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict over Karabakh: Government spokesman
• Azerbaijan vows to fight until Armenia’s ‘full withdrawal’ from Karabakh
• Clashes intensify in Karabakh; Azerbaijan claims advances

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