The United States is aware of the detention of Vagif Khachatryan at the Lachin corridor checkpoint, who was being transported to Armenia for treatment under the escort of an international humanitarian organization, the US State Department said in response to a request from the Armenian service of Voice of America.

The State Department added that overall, "the United States remains deeply concerned about Azerbaijan's continued closure of the Lachine corridor to commercial, humanitarian, and private vehicles."

According to the US State Department, halting humanitarian movement further worsens the humanitarian situation and undermines efforts to build confidence in the peace process.

"The free movement of commercial, humanitarian and private vehicles through the Lachine corridor must be restored immediately," reads the State Department's response.

"We consistently claim that peace in the region must include the protection of the rights and security of the people of Nagorno Karabakh. We welcome dialogue guided by this goal," the US State Department emphasized in its response.

Azerbaijan is holding Nagorno Karabakh in blockade for seven months now, depriving its 120,000 residents of food, medicines and other necessities. Armenia sent 360 tons of humanitarian aid to Nagorno Karabakh last week, but it is stuck news the Lachin checkpoint as Azerbaijan would not allow it to be transported to Nagorno Karabakh. The humanitarian crisis there is deteriorating on a daily basis.