Iran calls for permanent solution to Karabakh crisis

By Syed Zafar Mehdi

TEHRAN (AA) – Iran on Wednesday called for a permanent solution to the conflict in Karabakh, signaling readiness to play a role in strengthening a ceasefire deal between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the disputed region.

This came during a meeting between Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and visiting Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Baymarov in Tehran.

Reiterating his government’s position on the conflict and support for Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, Rouhani said his government endorses the ceasefire and liberation of the occupied territories, his office said in a statement.

Last month, Iran welcomed a peace deal between Baku and Yerevan to end hostilities and hoped it would “lead to final arrangements in establishing sustainable peace in the Caucasus”.

Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Upper Karabakh, is a territory recognized as part of Azerbaijan. It was occupied by Armenia in 1991 and has since caused a deep rift with neighboring Azerbaijan.

New clashes in the territory erupted on Sept. 27 and ended with a Russian-brokered truce six weeks later.

Baymarov’s visit to Tehran comes after the scheduled visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif to Baku was postponed due to “emergency meetings” related to next year’s budget.

During Wednesday’s meeting, Rouhani expressed Iran’s readiness to participate in the reconstruction efforts in the liberated areas of Azerbaijan. The two officials also discussed bilateral ties and areas of cooperation, emphasizing the need to reopen borders for trade.

Rouhani, the statement said, expressed confidence that the bilateral cooperation between Tehran and Baku would improve with the political transition in the United States.

The two countries, Iran’s president maintained, can “further enhance cooperation in the fields of industry, science, pharmacy and other sectors”.

Referring to Azerbaijan as a “brotherly country”, Rouhani said the “will of the Islamic Republic of Iran is to develop relations with the Republic of Azerbaijan”.

Iran, which shares border with both Azerbaijan and Armenia, has traditionally maintained a "neutral" stance on the Karabakh conflict. However, domestic calls have been growing recently in favor of Azerbaijan.

Last month, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei strongly backed Azerbaijan’s right to liberate the occupied territories and stressed that the international borders must be respected.

Baymarov also held talks with Zarif on Wednesday, that included the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, regional and bilateral issues, the Iranian foreign ministry said.

“In the context of good neighborliness, while welcoming the progress made and the liberation of the occupied territories, Iran emphasizes the need for a permanent solution to the (Karabakh) crisis through dialogue,” the ministry said in a statement.

Baymarov is scheduled to meet with Iran’s Parliament Speaker Baqer Qalibaf and the head of National Security Council Ali Shamkhani.