The continuation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will broaden the insecurity that has already covered the area, Jaber Ansari, spokesman for the Iranian foreign ministry, said at a press-conference in Tehran April 25, Trend's correspondent reported.

He added that Iran has announced readiness to render any assistance to both countries.

"If two conflicting sides make any request to Iran, we will play a more active role to resolve the conflict," he said.

Ansari said that as long as the sides have not urged Iran to render assistance, we will do everything possible through international procedures to be accepted by both countries.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.