Armenian defense minister: “I see no opportunity for Azerbaijan to launch military actions”

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“Today, I see no opportunity for Azerbaijan to launch military actions, but as defense minister I am ready for start of military action at any moment,” Armenia’s Defense Minister Mikael Arutyunyan told a REGNUM correspondent today commenting on the question whether recently increased publications in Azerbaijani media a kind of a preparation stage or excuse for renewing military action.

According to him, the level of tension on the border announced by Baku does not reflect the reality. “If they want to rule out firing periodically heard on the border, I recommend that they take under control their troops and prohibit shooting to them, as when they start firing from the Azerbaijani side, we always provide an equal response,” he noted adding that at any moment the Army is ready to show resistance to any challenge and protect provide security of both Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Overall, according to the minister, such publications are an evident demonstration of the Azerbaijani propaganda aimed mostly at domestic consumption.

Asked by the REGNUM correspondent to comment on reports about Iranian citizens in the Armenian Armed Forces, Arutyunyan said that this was one of propaganda components by Baku and noted that such statements are absurd.