Iran, Azerbaijan stress need to resolve issues through dialogue, cooperation

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Azerbaijani counterpart have in a phone conversation stressed the need for the resolution of recent issues between Baku and Tehran through dialogue and cooperation.

In a phone call focusing on latest developments in bilateral ties on Tuesday, Amir-Abdollahian told Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jehon Peramov that any concerns or issues between Tehran and Baku must be resolved through dialogue and cooperation, and also in a calm and friendly atmosphere.

The top Iranian diplomat stressed "the need for mutual respect, independence, sovereignty and integrity of the territories of both countries," adding that "Tehran and Baku have a long-standing relationship."

Amir-Abdullahian said the two countries must prevent misunderstandings in bilateral relations and that "it is better to continue their relations in the right and rapidly growing direction."

Pointing to the depth of relations between the two countries, the Iranian foreign minister said Tehran is “waiting for an end to the problem of Iranian truck transportation” bound for Armenia through Azerbaijani territory.

“The two countries have enemies that should not be given an opportunity to strain relations between them,” Amir-Abdullahian said, underlining the need for “removing anxiety through dialogue and cooperation.”

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.

The Azerbaijani foreign minister, for his part, described his country’s relations with Tehran as “friendly” and said that “relations with friendly countries are a priority for the Republic of Azerbaijan.”

Calling for “solving problems through dialogue and in a calm and intimate atmosphere,” Peramov suggested that customs officials in the two countries hold talks to end the problems of exporting Iranian goods through Azerbaijani territory, and promised to pursue the case and release of two Iranian drivers, who were arrested last month.

The phone conversation on Tuesday came as the Iranian foreign minister has previously sounded a warning concerning certain provocations by the Israeli regime near Iran’s borders in Azerbaijan.

The regime, he said, used the flare-up of tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region last year to establish a presence in parts of Azerbaijan.

Iran strongly protests attack on embassy in Azerbaijan

Ambassador Abbas Mousavi said Azerbaijan’s diplomatic police and Interior Ministry had “identified, arrested and interrogated four” people in connection with the case.

The Iranian Army’s Ground Forces recently held military exercises codenamed Fatehan-e Khaybar (Conquerors of Khaybar) in the northwestern part of the country. 

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has criticized Iran’s exercises. Tehran has hit back by saying that holding drills is part of the national sovereignty, warning that Israel’s anti-Iran activities in neighboring countries will not be tolerated.

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

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