Iran’s initiative aims to promote ‘lasting peace’ in Nagorno-Karabakh: Araqchi

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araqchi has unveiled some aspects of the Islamic Republic’s initiative for resolution of the conflict over Azerbaijan’s breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, saying the proposed plan aims to promote “lasting peace” and settle the decades-long dispute between Baku and Yerevan.

Araqchi, at the head of a high-ranking delegation, arrived in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku on Tuesday night and announced parts of the Iran’s initiative to end the conflict between the two warring sides over Karabakh.

During the official trip, the Iranian diplomat is set to hold meetings with Azeri officials and also visit the Russian, Armenian, and Turkish capitals.

“This trip is part of a periodic visit to those countries in the region that are effective in ending the recent conflict between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the main purpose of the trip is to present the initiative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to resolve this conflict and reach lasting peace between the two countries and the region,” Araqchi said.

“The framework of this initiative has been prepared and will be discussed with the officials of the Republic of Azerbaijan during this visit,” he added.

Araqchi underlined that, “In several stages, this plan can lead the situation to a lasting peace and end the existing conflict and, of course, the occupation of the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan.”

Araqchi described the end of the occupation of the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan as an “important element” in Iran's proposed plan and said, "The protection of minority rights and humanitarian rights is another basis for Iran's initiative to end the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict."

Clashes continue in Nagorno-Karabakh despite truce deals

Clashes continue between Azeri and Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh despite three attempts to establish a ceasefire.

The Iranian deputy foreign minister went on to say that ending the conflict and “starting a dialogue with the help of influential countries” with the aim of ensuring peace is another key axis of the Islamic Republic of Iran's initiative.

“We are consulting all these issues with the countries of the region and we hope that this plan can reach the desired point for implementation,” Araqchi stated.

“We always support the Azerbaijan’s efforts to liberate its occupied cities and areas,” Araqchi said, adding, “The territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan and other countries in the region and the inviolability of borders is an important and unbreachable principle that must be respected.”

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif informed his Azeri counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov during a phone call in mid-October of the nature of a proposal by Tehran for resolution of the protracted conflict.

Since late September, heavy clashes have been underway between Azerbaijani and Armenian military forces over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. Both sides blame each other for initiating the fighting in the Caucasus Mountains.

For years, the two neighbors have been locked in a conflict over Azerbaijan’s region of Nagorno-Karabakh mainly inhabited by ethnic Armenians. Though a ceasefire was agreed in 1994, Baku and Yerevan continue to accuse each other of shooting attacks around the enclave.

Russia backs ‘peaceful solution’ for Nagorno-Karabakh conflict after Armenia hails war

Russia says a “peaceful solution” is the only way out of the hugely deadly flare-up in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Following the flare-up, Russia brokered two ceasefires to bring an end to the deadly conflict,  but its efforts to bring peace to the mountainous region failed as Yerevan and Baku continued to violate the agreements.

Russia, a close ally to Armenia, is also in talks with Turkey, which supports Azerbaijan in the conflict.

Tehran making every effort to resolve Karabakh conflict: Envoy

Meanwhile, Iran's Ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali warned on Tuesday that the conflict between Baku and Yerevan would have “very serious consequences” for the two sides as the infrastructure of the two countries would be destroyed and civilian lives would be lost during the war.

Speaking to the Russian state-owned nationwide TV network Zvezda, Jalali said Iran is doing its best to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through the negotiating table, and expressed Tehran’s readiness to mediate peace talks between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia.

“There is no doubt that the presence of any extra-regional force or terrorists can intensify the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and create a new threat,” said the Iranian Ambassador to Moscow.

"The best way for the regional countries is to work together and resolve the conflict so that terrorists would not be allowed to concentrate in the region," he added.

Iran has already warned the warring sides against border incursions, saying the security of its cities and villages is a top priority for the country. The warning came after a number of stray mortars from the Karabakh conflict struck Iranian villages along the border.

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