Tasnim � Iran�s Foreign Ministry spokesman expressed Tehran�s readiness to mediate between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the wake of deadly border clashes between the two countries.

�As soon as clashes erupted between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Iran�s diplomatic apparatus got active to mediate and soothe this tension as the region cannot afford another conflict,� Seyed Abbas Mousavi told reporters in the northwestern city of Ardabil on Thursday.

He further called on both sides to show restraint, voicing Iran�s readiness to help bring an end to tensions between the two former Soviet republics.

The clashes broke out on the volatile Armenia-Azerbaijan border on Sunday and have continued over the past days.

At least 16 people, including four Armenian troops, 11 Azeri servicemen and one Azeri civilian, have been killed in the latest outbreak of hostilities between the two neighbors.