Amid Karabakh fighting, Iran warns will not tolerate insecurity along borders

Iran’s interior minister says the country will not tolerate any form of insecurity along its borders amid ongoing armed clashes between the Republic of Azerbaijan and neighboring Armenia.

“We have advised and also warned neighboring countries that we will not tolerate insecurity and intervention and any other measures, which might be aimed at compromising security of our people along borders regions,” Abdolreza Rahmani-Fazli told reporters on Monday, Tasnim news agency reported.

The minister’s comments came after officials in the northwestern Iranian province of East Azarbaijan reported that mortar shells fired by the warring sides in the latest round of fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan had hit border rural areas in Iran.

According to reports, one of the mortar shells that hit a village in Khoda-Afarin county injured a six-year-old child and caused horror among people.

Asked about the border incident on Monday, Rahmani-Fazli said, “Something has happened between the two countries in the north of our country. The Interior Ministry gives the highest priority to internal security from borders all the way to the remotest parts of the country.”

The minister expressed hope that this problem would be solved through the observance of the principles of international law, which call for respect for national sovereignty and the rights of all countries.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman also took to his Twitter post urging both parties to the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh to respect the law of war.

“The warring parties should respect the law of war & avoid targeting civilians,” Saeed Khatibzadeh said on Monday, adding that Iran is closely following the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh and remains in touch with all parties.”

MG