August 23, 2010

Iran withholds grain supply to Armenia

Iran would not deliver grain to Armenia unless Armenian troops are withdrawn from the occupied lands of Azerbaijan.

Iran will not deliver grain to Armenia if it does not ascertain its relations with Azerbaijan, member of the Iranian parliament from Erdebil, head of the Iran-Azerbaijan inter-parliamentary friendship group Seyid Kazim Musavi said.

Droughts damaged 20% of cornfields in Russia this year, head of the Iran-Azerbaijan inter-parliamentary friendship group Seyid Kazim Musavi said.

"For this reason, Russia will stop grain export to abroad, including Armenia. Iran's grain delivery to Armenia is out of question until the withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied lands of Azerbaijan," said Musavi.

Musavi said Iran has made statements on Nagorno Karabakh conflict and Khojaly genocide many times in recent years. "We consider Azerbaijan right in this issue and condemn Armenia as an aggressor and occupant. Grain export to Armenia from Iran is impossible," said Musavi. "Azerbaijan is a friendly country to Iran. We were one of the first countries recognised territorial integrity of Azerbaijan."