Iran calls for Nagorno-Karabakh truce return as fighting continues

Ghanbar Naderi
Press TV, Ardabil

This is Aslandouz, a border town on Iran’s north-western region that’s close to Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory between Armenia and Azerbaijan. People here have been on edge for many days because a recent Russian-brokered humanitarian ceasefire agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan is no longer holding. The truce fell apart largely because the two sides continue to shell each other’s military positions and civilian objects along the border with Iran.

Local people told Press TV that the fighting has endangered their communities. They urge the two sides to return to the ceasefire agreement and resolve their dispute through dialogue and diplomacy.

They also blame both sides for shelling civilian areas in Iran and for escalating the ethnic conflict.

The Iranian government has urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to stop the fighting, and stick to the truce. It is working with other regional countries to help settle the crisis. Iran is among the few players in the region that has a good relationship with all those involved in the conflict, including the warring sides and their key allies.

Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of the Republic of Azerbaijan, but it has been under Armenia’s control since the early 1990s. The territory declared independence from Azerbaijan in 1991, and since then, the two neighbors have been fighting each other over the region.

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