Salehi urges restoration of stability in eastern Tajikistan

Iran's Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi has called for the restoration of peace and stability in Tajikistan as violence continues in its eastern Gorno-Badakhshan Province, Press TV reported on Friday. In a telephone conversation on Thursday, Salehi and his Tajik counterpart Hamrokhon Zarifi discussed the mutual relations, regional developments and recent clashes in Gorno-Badakhshan, said the report. The Iranian minister highlighted the significance of exercising restraint in Tajikistan and resolving issues in Gorno-Badakhshan through peaceful ways. On Sunday, Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast expressed regret over the recent bloody clashes in Gorno- Badakhshan, which left dozens of people killed. "We hope that the recent events in Tajikistan's Badakhshan Province would end as soon as possible and with minimal human and financial losses and security and peace would be continued [in the region]," said Mehmanparast. On July 24, the Tajik security service issued a statement saying at least 12 government troops and 30 militants were killed in clashes near the town of Khorog in the Badakhshan region. The fighting reportedly erupted in four neighborhoods in the town, according to the report.