Iran envoy to Azerbaijan: Good relations between Iran and Armenia prevented Karabakh conflict from becoming religious
We can assist the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by improving our relations with Armenia, Iran’s ambassador to Azerbaijan Mohsen Pak Ayeen has said, according to the official website of Iran’s embassy in Azerbaijan.
In an interview with an Azerbaijani website, Iran’s envoy responded to an observation that Armenia is getting stronger due to friendly relations between Iran and Armenia and economic ties with Iran, which raises the indignation of the Azerbaijani people.
“If you think that Armenia’s economic situation will deteriorate if Iran-Armenia relations break off and it will contribute to the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, then you are mistaken,” Mohsen Pak Ayeen said.
The envoy added, “Although the United States is a friendly country to Azerbaijan, a number of U.S. states have recognized the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. So, we think that we can assist the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict at some time by improving our relations with Armenia. More, good relations between Iran and Armenia prevented the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict from becoming religious, so our relations with Armenia show that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is not religious.”
“Considering that Iran provided assistance to Azerbaijan during the Karabakh war, will it again assist Azerbaijan in case of war?” In response to this question, Iran’s ambassador said, “We hope the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be resolved peacefully.”
The current stage of the Karabakh conflict began in 1988, when the parliament of Autonomous Oblast of Nagorno-Karabakh asked the authorities of the Soviet Union, Armenia and Azerbaijan SSR to pass the region to Armenia.
Azerbaijan responded to the request with protests against the civilians of Armenian nationality. After the collapse of the Soviet Union a full-scale war began. Azerbaijan had an overwhelming advantage in quantity, in weapons and resources and hoped for a quick victory. However, during the brutal war Azeri troops were defeated, losing about 30,000 soldiers and a number of previously controlled areas.
On 12 May 1994, after the ceasefire agreement the hostilities in the conflict zone were ceased. The agreement on cease-fire regime is observed so far. Since 1992 to the present day negotiations with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs United States, Russia and France, are being held for reaching a peaceful settlement of the conflict.
Related: Perspectives of Iran-Azerbaijan relations: Commentary by Iranian Majlis Research Center
Iran’s Karabakh mediation mission and liberation of Shoushi: Analysis by Iranian studies expert
Iranian studies expert: Iranian-Armenian relations develop in atmosphere of mutual trust
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