Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 8 /Trend S.Isayev, D. Khatinoglu/
Iran can act as a mediator of the Nagorno-Karabakh coflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said today, during a press conference, IRIB News reported.
Mehmanparast noted that Iran supports peaceful solution to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, noting that its resolution lies within the capacity of the regional states.
"We should do our best to prevent worsening of conflicts in the region, as people of the region suffer," Mehmanparast noted. "In this course, Iran is ready to get involved into peaceful resolution of the Karabakh conflict."
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.
Speaking of the the appointment of former Nebraska Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel to lead the Pentagon, Mehmanparast noted that "there is no confidence".
According to AP, Hagel was nominated Monday and faces tough confirmation hearings. Some critics have said he is hostile toward Israel and soft on Iran.
"The U.S. has several times announced about the change of their foreign policies, but we know its behavior against other nations," the spokesman said.
Mehmanparast expressed hope that the U.S. would pursue peaceful actions, instead of hostile ones, adding that Iran respects the rights of all nations.