Ayattolah Khamanei weighs in on the Karabakh conflict

Iran continues to be concerned by events in the South Caucasus. In a speech commemorating the National Day of Fighting Global Ignorance, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Azerbaijani lands "must be returned", according to various agencies.

"These lands belong to Azerbaijan, which has an absolute right over it. "

It remains unclear which specific parts should be returned to Azerbaijan as the official Iranian plan call for the return of the 7 districts surrounding Nagorno Karabakh, leaving the Nagorno Karabakh region itself as a subject of future talks.

"Unfortunately, this ongoing war at our doors between two neighboring countries, Armenia and Azerbaijan (...) threatens the security of the region," Khamenei said in a televised speech. He called both sides not to violate international borders.

Iran, which maintains good relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan, has repeatedly called on the two countries to stop the fighting. In response to stray fire, Iran places some of its military assets in the border areas.

Khamenei also reiterated the warning on the presence of foreign fighters. "Terrorists should not be deployed near our borders," he said warning that if Iran feels threatened by them, and will respond firmly.

Meanwhile, the Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, speaking to reporters, said in response to Abbas Araghchi visit and the Iranian that it was being carefully considered. Rudenko did not reveal any details about the plan. As for the presence of peacekeepers, Rudenko said that the decision is up to parties of the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in an interview with the newspaper Kommersant, said that the 2+2 formula was discussed with the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan but did not say if it could be adopted.

source: commonspace.eu with agencies

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Aden under curfew, as problem in Yemen's south deepens

Aden under curfew, as problem in Yemen's south deepens

The port city of Aden, in Yemen's south, has been put under curfew, as the rift in the country between  the Saudi led coalition which  backs Yemen's presidential governing council, and the southern forces led by the Southern Transitional Council (STC), deepens. Abdul Rahman al-Mahrami, a member of the Yemeni Presidential Governing Council and commander of the al-Amalik brigades, has ordered a curfew in the temporary capital, Aden, "to maintain security". "A curfew has been imposed throughout Aden Governorate from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., in accordance with the instructions of Commander Abdul Rahman al-Mahrami, a member of the Presidential Management Council," the statement said. It states that only security and military personnel, as well as medical and technical teams with approved permits, will be allowed to move in the area during these hours. Yemen's presidential council, which is backed by Saudi Arabia and which already is in a struggle with the Houthi Movement in the north of the country who also occupy the capital Sanaa, two days ago issued an order for the arrest of the head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC),, Aidarous al Zubaidi. The STC have wide support among people in the South, and advocate that South Yemen restores its independence. The coalition warned of further escalation in Aden, long regarded as an STC stronghold, as the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) chief accused STC leader Aidarous Al Zubaidi of “high treason” and announced the revocation of his membership in the governing body. The moves mark a sharp escalation in tensions within the anti-Houthi camp, despite National Shield Forces, rivals of the STC and former allies, having recently retaken control of Hadhramaut and Mahra from southern fighters. The STC’s takeover of the two regions last month angered Saudi Arabia and contributed to igniting the current internal conflict. (click the picture to read more)

Popular

Editor's choice
Analysis
Analysis: Why what happens in Greenland matters

Analysis: Why what happens in Greenland matters

The snap elections for the parliament of Greenland last Tuesday (6 April 2021) attracted unusual interest from major powers who have been watching the political and economic impact of the election results on their interests in the Arctic region. Among them, the Chinese, who have invested in the Kvanefjeld mine on the island. Maximiliaan van Lange analyses the background to the recent Greenlandic general elections, and the Island's geostrategic position in the Arctic in this article for commonspace.eu.