Iran urges Baku and Yerevan to refrain from clashing

Iran is concerned about the growing tension on the border between Azerbaijan and Armenia, said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani.

In his statement, Kanaani called on Yerevan and Baku to exercise restraint, Caliber.Az reported, citing the IRNA news agency.

Dialogue and diplomacy are the only way to achieve sustainable and lasting peace in the Caucasus region, the diplomat stressed, calling on both countries to speed up efforts to reach a peace deal.

Kanaani was referring to the aggravation between the sides which was triggered by the provocation committed by the Armenian armed forces. 

On February 12, the Armenian troops shelled the positions of the troops of the State Border Service (SBS) of Azerbaijan in the direction of the village of Kollugishlak in Zangilan district, as a result of which serviceman Parviz Aghakishi oglu Khalilzade was wounded.

On the same day, at 20:50 and 23:40, units of the armed forces of Armenia fired small arms at the positions of the Azerbaijani Army in the direction of Kokhanabi settlement of Tovuz region from the positions located in the direction of Chinarli settlement of Tovuzgala region.

Later, on February 13, the units of the State Border Service (SBS) of Azerbaijan conducted "Operation Revenge" in response to the provocation of the Armenian armed forces.

As a result of the operation, the Armenian Armed Forces' combat post near the Nerkin-Hand settlement of the Gafan region was destroyed, from where the Armenian Armed Forces fired at the positions of the Azerbaijani State Border Service troops on February 12, wounding an Azerbaijani serviceman.

The Armenian Defence Ministry admitted that four of its servicemen were killed and another wounded.