Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has deployed reinforcements on the border with the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, where a heated battle between Armenian and Azerbaijan forces has been ongoing for nearly a month now.
Commander of IRGC’ Ground Force Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpoor visited on October 23 the border area near Khoda-Afarin County in the Province of East Azerbaijan. Several shells fired by the Azerbaijani and Armenian forces fell there in the last few weeks.
“Although a number of shells fired in the Karabakh dispute have hit the Iranian soil, security prevails along the borders and there is no threat to the country,” the commander said.
Brig. Gen. Pakpoor said reinforcements were deployed to protect Iran’s national interests as well as to provide security and safety for civilians in the border area.
#IRGC Ground Force has now officially announced deployment of T-72M1 Main Battle Tanks, BMP-2 IFVs and other equipment from its Imam Zaman Mechanized Brigade of Shabestar in NW of #Iran to the border with #Artsakh/#NagornoKarabakh in #KhodaAfarin & #Azerbaijan‘s #Nakhchivan. https://t.co/qDamz2lXXQ pic.twitter.com/h3ixwppFTn
— Babak Taghvaee – Μπάπακ Τακβαίε – بابک تقوایی (@BabakTaghvaee) October 25, 2020
Azerbaijani forces imposed full control of Nagorno-Karabakh’s border with Iran earlier this week. However, stray fire from the fighting in the region continue to reach nearby Iranian land.
Last week, Iran’s Foreign Ministry Mohammad Javad Zarif warned both Armenia and Azerbaijan that Tehran will not remain indifferent if their fire continue to hit Iranian territories.
Despite taking defensive measures and releasing a number of warnings, Iran will not likely act against Azerbaijan or Armenia. Tehran has a large Azeri population and enjoys close relations with Yerevan.
