The recent incident in the contact line between the Azerbaijani and Nagorno-Karabakh armed forces was an artificially simulated provocation aimed at arousing Armenia’s aggressive reaction, Andrey Areshev, the Deputy Director General, Russian Strategic Culture Foundation, told NEWS.am. By doing so Azerbaijan wanted to justify possible resumption of hostilities.

As to Russia’s implicit permission for that act of sabotage, the expert expressed confidence that destabilization of the strained situation does not meet Russia’s interests. “Russia has traditionally supported Armenia and it has no reasons to back Azerbaijan’s military aggression,” the expert stated.

As to the statement by Iran’s Ambassador to Armenia Seyed Ali Saqqaiyan that the provocation was organized by external forces, and Iran will not allow the presence of foreign peacekeepers in the region, Areshev stressed that Iran is a serious regional actor and does not wish fundamental changes in the situation. “This statement allows of different interpretations, but I do not think Russia was in question. Some cooldown has lately been observed in Russian-Iranian relations, but nothing more. Iran pursues its goals and is discontent with a more active role of the U.S., which is implied by the ‘external force.’ I think it is a serious warning to the west. Iran has powerful levers for influencing the situation in the region and it will not hesitate to use them,” the expert said.