Iran dismisses controversial statements on Garabagh
The statements on Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity
made by Iranian diplomats based in Armenia have been distorted by
the Armenian media, the Iranian embassy in Baku has said.
Abbas Iskandari, the embassy spokesman, refuted the reports quoting the Iranian ambassador to Yerevan Seyed Ali Saghaeyan and the diplomatic mission’s spokesman Ardashir Javadi, saying Tehran’s stance on the neighboring country’s territorial integrity remains unchanged.
"Iran recognizes Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and will continue to support its restoration," said Iskandari.
According to the Armenian media, Ambassador Saghaeyan said lately that Iran "shares a border with Garabagh", an Azerbaijani region occupied by Armenia since a 1994 cease-fire ended hostilities. Also, the embassy’s spokesman Javadi said, while commenting on Iranian Parliament Vice-Speaker Mohammad Reza Bahonar’s statement about Iran’s honoring Azerbaijan’s integrity that Tehran’s position on foreign policy issues could be stated only by the president and the foreign minister.
"Statements issued by other people are their personal opinions and are considered unofficial," Javadi said.
The Armenian media said the Iranian diplomats’ statements allegedly amounted to Tehran’s recognizing the "independence" of Upper Garabagh.*
Abbas Iskandari, the embassy spokesman, refuted the reports quoting the Iranian ambassador to Yerevan Seyed Ali Saghaeyan and the diplomatic mission’s spokesman Ardashir Javadi, saying Tehran’s stance on the neighboring country’s territorial integrity remains unchanged.
"Iran recognizes Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and will continue to support its restoration," said Iskandari.
According to the Armenian media, Ambassador Saghaeyan said lately that Iran "shares a border with Garabagh", an Azerbaijani region occupied by Armenia since a 1994 cease-fire ended hostilities. Also, the embassy’s spokesman Javadi said, while commenting on Iranian Parliament Vice-Speaker Mohammad Reza Bahonar’s statement about Iran’s honoring Azerbaijan’s integrity that Tehran’s position on foreign policy issues could be stated only by the president and the foreign minister.
"Statements issued by other people are their personal opinions and are considered unofficial," Javadi said.
The Armenian media said the Iranian diplomats’ statements allegedly amounted to Tehran’s recognizing the "independence" of Upper Garabagh.*