Iran not to tolerate Israel’s presence near its borders, will take necessary measures: FM

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says Tehran will not tolerate Israel’s presence near the country’s borders and will take due measures against the regime’s activities.

Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks on Thursday while receiving credentials of the new Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Stressing that countries had the right to hold military exercises within their territories in line with safeguarding their national sovereignty, the Iranian foreign minister said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran does not tolerate the presence and activities of the Zionist regime against its national security and will take any necessary action in this regard.”

Also in his remarks, the top Iranian diplomat emphasized the importance of mutual relations between Tehran and Baku in the context of neighborly relations.

Amir-Abdollahian voiced dissatisfaction about the recent mistreatment of Iranian truck drivers and the arrest of two of them by Azeri border guards, and expressed dismay over the recent negative statements by the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The new Azeri envoy, Ali Alizadeh, for his part, called for good and deep bilateral relations between Baku and Tehran. He also expressed hope that the recent incident will be resolved soon.

Iran recently held military drills in the country’s northwestern border area, which was criticized by Azerbaijan. 

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev said he was “very surprised” by Iran’s decision to hold drills close to his country’s borders, and questioned the timing of the maneuvers.

Iran dismisses Aliev’s remarks about military drills near Azeri border

Iran dismisses the Azerbaijani president’s remarks about military drills held by the Islamic Republic near the Azeri border.

Reacting to Azerbaijan’s criticism, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said the Islamic Republic has only been exercising its right to sovereignty by holding the drills.

Saeed Khatibzadeh called the event “a matter of sovereignty," and underlined that the exercises had taken place towards contribution to “the entire region’s calm and stability.”

Moreover, the Iranian ambassador to Baku, Abbas Mousavi, said the exercises “can’t be seen as a threat to our friends,” and that Azerbaijan had been informed about them months earlier. 

Iran’s Armed Forces regularly hold military maneuvers to elevate their preparedness and military prowess. The drills serve as a warning message to the enemies against any act of aggression against the Islamic Republic.

Aliev had also accused Iran of sending over trucks to “illegally” cross into the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is a matter of dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Khatibzadeh dismissed any attempt on the part of Iran to undermine others’ territorial integrity or trespass on their recognized borders.

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