On July 30, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the humanitarian situation in Karabakh with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

"Yesterday, I spoke with the President of Azerbaijan, Aliyev, to express our deep concern about the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. The United States encourages all parties to continue dialogue to achieve a lasting peace agreement," Blinken said on Twitter.

According to the information released by the US State Department, Blinken expressed his deep concern about the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh in a telephone conversation with President Aliyev. "In a telephone conversation, the Secretary of State stressed the urgent need to ensure the free passage of commercial, humanitarian, and private vehicles through the Lachin Corridor, as well as the importance of compromising on alternative routes for the delivery of humanitarian aid to the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh," the State Department said in a statement. It is noted that Secretary of State Blinken emphasized the importance of all parties maintaining a positive pace in peace negotiations.

According to the information released by the Azerbaijani side, it was noted that stating that the provocative steps taken by the Armenian side are hindering the peace process, the head of state emphasized that the continued presence of the Armenian armed forces illegally in the sovereign territory of Azerbaijan is a source of military tension in the region. Aliyev mentioned the Armenian side's military provocation at the border crossing point of Lachin, shooting at Azerbaijani border guards, attempted smuggling, and sending trucks to Azerbaijan without permission.

President Ilham Aliyev said that even though the Azerbaijani side put forward a proposal to use the Aghdam-Khankendi [Stepanakert in Azerbaijani] road to meet the needs of Armenian residents, and it was supported by the European Union and the International Committee of the Red Cross, Armenia opposed all proposals. The claims of the Armenian side about the 'Humanitarian situation' and 'blockade' are political manipulation.

President Aliyev said it was unacceptable for Armenia to continuously engage in destructive activities, try to hinder peace negotiations, and develop contact and dialogue between Azerbaijan and local Armenian residents. The Azerbaijani leader reminded that the Azerbaijani side is determined in the direction of the reintegration of the Armenian residents, for this purpose, the first meeting was held in Khojaly, and the proposal of Azerbaijan was presented for the second meeting.

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