Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister Safar Abiyev has said that the country will not allow its territory to be used against its southern neighbor, Iran.


In an official visit to Iran on Monday, Colonel General Abiyev said Baku needs Tehran’s support as one of the regional powers.

He added that Azerbaijan wants peace, stability, and security in the region and closer military cooperation guarantees regional peace.

The Azeri defense minister travelled to Iran upon an official invitation by his Iranian counterpart Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi.

General Vahidi, for his part, voiced Iran’s readiness to help the Azeri army gain independence.

The relations between the two neighbors have been strained after Azerbaijan signed a USD 1.5 billion deal with Israel to purchase drones and anti-aircraft and missile systems.

Last month, Tehran summoned Azeri Ambassador Javanshir Akhundov to protest Baku’s agreement.

However, Azeri officials said that the weapons were being purchased to liberate 20 percent of the country’s occupied territories.

Israel reportedly agreed to sell arms to Azerbaijan in return for Baku assisting the Israeli spy agency, Mossad, carry out terrorist operations against Iran from Azerbaijan.

Israel has resorted to various terrorist tactics to stop Iran's peaceful nuclear energy program, which is under full observation of International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors.

AGB/AZ/HGH
PressTV - Azerbaijan no launchpad for anti-Iran moves: Defense Minister