In a telephone conversation with the Republic of Azerbaijan’s Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev, the Iranian president’s chief of staff strongly denied the rumors spread by social networks that Iran has supplied help for Armenia amid the fresh wave of fighting in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

“Such rumors are totally baseless and aimed at upsetting the good relations between Iran and Azerbaijan,” Vaezi added.

Highlighting Iran’s respect for the Republic of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, the Iranian official said ending occupation would contribute to regional stability.

“The Republic of Azerbaijan has a special and important place in the Islamic Republic of Iran’s foreign policy, and we have always seized every opportunity to strengthen and broaden our relations with that country,” Vaezi stressed.

Expressing concern about the armed clashes between Armenian and Azeri forces, he said Tehran is closely and seriously monitoring the developments and is ready for any help to settle the conflict through dialogue within the framework of international law.

For his part, Mustafayev hailed the amicable ties between Baku and Tehran, saying the two neighbors should not allow their close relations to be harmed by the hostile attempts.

Highlighting the cultural, religious and social values shared by Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Azeri deputy PM said the bilateral relations have reached a good level thanks to the efforts from the authorities of the two countries.

The military forces of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan started a new round of clashes over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh on Sunday, the heaviest fighting between the two countries in years.

Baku had earlier voiced concern about reports of large arms shipments from Russia to Armenia during and after the fighting.

Last month, Azeri President Ilham Aliyev complained to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin about Moscow’s arms sales to Armenia amid the outbreak of fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

In a telephone conversation with foreign policy advisor to the president of the Republic of Azerbaijan Hikmat Hajiyev on Sunday, Vaezi said Iran’s formal stance on the conflicts and disputes is “supporting the territorial integrity and sovereignty” of the nations.

“Tensions in the region would certainly not be in the interest of any country, and we favor stability, development, and progress for all countries, particularly the Republic of Azerbaijan,” he added.

The Iranian president’s chief of staff further stressed the need for the settlement of Karabakh dispute through peaceful solutions and dialogue.

“As a friendly country and neighbor, the Islamic Republic of Iran has always stood by the Republic of Azerbaijan’s government and nation and attaches significance to the promotion of ties with that country,” Vaezi added.

For his part, Hajiyev commended Iran for its clear stances on international conflicts and its respect for the sovereignty of nations, saying, “Iran, as a very important and influential country in the region, has a major role in the settlement of regional problems and disputes.”

He also highlighted Baku’s willingness to boost relations with Tehran in various fields, particularly the economic ties.

Azerbaijan and Armenia, two former Soviet republics, have for decades been locked in a simmering conflict over Karabakh – an Azerbaijani territory seized by Armenian separatists in a bloody war in the 1990s.

Some 30,000 people were killed in the conflict, which ended with a fragile truce in 1994. The two sides are still technically at war and have yet to reach a permanent peace agreement on the issue.