Iran fears regional war as fighting rages around Nagorno-Karabakh
Iran has warned that renewed fighting between its neighbors Azerbaijan and Armenia could escalate into a wider regional war.
Iran’s president warned on Wednesday that fighting between Azeri and Armenian forces in the South Caucasus could trigger a regional war.
He gave that warning because the death toll rose on the 11th day of hostilities.
President Rouhani said on Wednesday;
“We must be attentive that the war between Armenia and Azerbaijan does not become a regional war,”
He added;
“Peace is the basis of our work and we hope to restore stability to the region in a peaceful way,”
What lead to Iran President to gave out such warning?
The current fighting is the worst seen in decades and both sides have blamed each other for the violence.
President Rouhani also said it was “totally unacceptable” for any stray shells and missiles to land on Iranian soil.
He said that due to the reports that shells had landed on villages in Iran.
That were just across from its northern border with Armenia and Azerbaijan.
“Our priority is the security of our cities and villages,” President Rouhani said.
He said, according to the news agency;
“Since the beginning of the conflict, a number of artillery shells and rockets have hit the territory of [Iran],”
He added;
“Our border guards are vigilant and have moved into the necessary formation. They are fully monitoring and controlling the borders,”
Terrorist Attacks?
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Wednesday that the actions of Turkey and Azerbaijan during the conflict created a “terroristic attack”.
Pashinyan said;
“To me there is no doubt that this is a policy of continuing the Armenian genocide and a policy of reinstating the Turkish empire,”
Nagorno-Karabakh said 40 more of its servicemen had been killed in the latest clashes.
That made its overall military death toll to 280 since Sept. 27.
It says 19 civilians have also been killed and many wounded in fighting that has involved;
1. Warplanes,
2. Drones,
3. Artillery
4. Tanks, and has caused widespread damage.
The Azeri prosecutor’s office has said 28 Azeri civilians have been killed in the renewed fighting.
Azerbaijan has not disclosed information about its military casualties.
Mediation efforts led by Russia, France and the United States have failed to prevent sudden horrifying fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh.
That became the reason behind breaking away from Baku’s control in a war in 1991-94 that killed about 30,000 people.
Putin said he was in constant contact with Pashinyan.
Russia’s news agency said Azeri President Ilham Aliyev had also spoken by phone with Putin.
