TEHRAN- Concerned over an upsurge in hostilities in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, the Iranian Foreign Ministry has urged the warring parties to abide by the terms of a previously negotiated truce and seek a diplomatic solution.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Nasser Kanaani, the spokesman for the foreign ministry, expressed worry over the deterioration of the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh territory and urged all parties to uphold the conditions of the agreement and negotiate a peaceful solution to any disputes.

Additionally, he emphasized Iran’s sensible approach to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, stating that the Islamic Republic believes the region is part of the Azerbaijani territory.

Tehran maintains that all regional concerns, particularly those involving the rights and security of citizens in Nagorno-Karabakh, must be handled within this framework and via dialouge, according to the website of the Foreign Ministry.

Kanaani emphasized the important role of regional countries in advancing a peaceful resolution to the conflict and once more reaffirmed Iran’s willingness to host the 3+3 summit for this goal.

The statement came shortly after the Republic of Azerbaijan initiated a military operation in Karabakh earlier in the day, nearly three years after the two countries went to war over the disputed mountainous region.

Also, Josep Borrell, the head of foreign policy for the European Union, condemned Azerbaijan’s latest military campaign in Nagorno-Karabakh and urged Baku to cease its military operations in the Caucasus.

“There is an urgent need to return to dialogue between Baku and Karabakh Armenians. This military escalation should not be used as a pretext to force the exodus of the local population,” Borrell said.

He added the EU is still actively working to facilitate communication between the two opposing sides.

In a news conference on Tuesday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia is concerned about the most recent escalation and views safeguarding civilian safety as the most vital issue.

Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, had previously pleaded with the two South Caucasian nations to end bloodshed and continue peace negotiations.

Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally acknowledged as part of Azerbaijan, yet it is mostly inhabited by ethnic Armenians.

Azerbaijan gained considerable territory in a six-week conflict that killed hundreds on both sides in 2020, before Moscow mediated a truce agreement that involved the deployment of 1,960 Russian soldiers to the region for a five-year term.

Since the truce, both sides have accused each other of violating the agreement.