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TEHRAN – Iran has called on Azerbaijan and Armenia to “immediately stop” fighting over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region and resolve disagreements through dialogue.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran is watching with concern and closely the clashes between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia and, while urging restraint, urges the two countries to immediately stop the fighting and begin a dialogue. “said the Iranian Foreign Ministry. in a statement Sunday.
Saeed Khatibzadeh, the spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, also expressed Iran’s willingness to use everything in its power to help achieve a ceasefire between Azerbaijan and Armenia and facilitate talks between the two arch-enemies.
On Sunday, violent clashes broke out between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the volatile Nagorno-Karabakh region, internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but controlled by Armenian forces.
Accusing Azerbaijan of initiating the fighting, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced the shooting down of two Azerbaijani helicopters and three drones, as well as the destruction of three tanks in response to what he called an “Azeri invasion.” Pashinyan accused Azerbaijan of declaring war on the Armenian people.
“Today, since early morning, Artsakh has been the target of aggression by the Azerbaijani armed forces. The civilian population of Artsakh, the capital Stepanakert, and civil infrastructures are being bombed. At the moment, there are victims and injuries, even among the civilian population. Using heavy weapons, the enemy is attacking Defense Army positions in all directions, ”said the Armenian prime minister in a speech to his fellow citizens. “The totalitarian administration of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has turned to military operations. This is a declared war against the Armenian people. This is a war against our independence, freedom and dignity. The Armenian people are ready for this war because they have always seriously realized that the hatred of Armenians, that Azerbaijani totalitarianism has been feeding their people for decades, cannot lead to any other result than war. “
Pashinyan declared martial law and general mobilization when Azerbaijan announced that Armenian forces were withdrawing from the battlefield while suffering heavy losses.
“By decision of the Government, martial law and general mobilization in the Republic of Armenia are declared. I am calling on the personnel attached to the troops to report to their district police stations, ”he tweeted on Sunday, hours after the deadly clashes began, stating that the clashes were“ pre-planned ”by neighboring Azerbaijan.
“Recent aggressive statements by Azerbaijani leaders, large-scale joint military exercises with Turkey, as well as the rejection of requests for monitoring by the Organization for Security and Cooperation PRCiO clearly indicate that this aggression was planned in advance and constitutes a full-scale provocation against peace and security, ”tweeted the prime minister.
On the other hand, Azerbaijan has rejected the Armenian accusations that it started an aggression against Armenia, saying that they are only “liberating” their “occupied territories” from Armenia.
“Azerbaijan has not resorted to any provocation. Azerbaijan simply defends its interests, supports its position and applies its policy openly. We have repeatedly said that Nagorno-Karabakh is the historical and ancient land of Azerbaijan, and this is true. When the Prime Minister of Armenia says that “Karabakh is Armenia”, it is a lie. When I say that “Karabakh is Azerbaijan”, it is true. The whole world recognizes Nagorno-Karabakh as an integral part of Azerbaijan, ”President Aliyev said in a speech to his fellow citizens.
Aliyev added: “We are on the right track! Ours is the cause of justice! We will win! Karabakh is ours! Karabakh is Azerbaijan! “
By accusing Armenia of firing at Azerbaijani military positions, President Aliyev said that the Azerbaijani army was responding to Armenia.
SM / PA
