TEHRAN -- The defense ministers of Iran and Azerbaijan met on Wednesday here to discuss regional issues and military cooperation.
Iranian Defense Minister Muhammad Reza Ashtiani said following meetings with his Azerbaijani counterpart Zakir Hasanov that thanks to historical and cultural commonalities between Iran and Azerbaijan, the two neighbors should develop relations and reinforce cooperation in defense and security sectors.
“Given their place and special geopolitical features, the two countries have great capacities and opportunities for enhancement of relations in all fields,” Ashtiani added.
For his part, Hasanov expressed gratitude to the Iranian government for supporting Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.
Lauding Iran’s military capabilities and progress in the defense industry, the Azerbaijani minister also called for expansion of relations with Iran.
Heading a high-ranking military delegation, Hasanov arrived in Tehran on Tuesday for talks on military cooperation between the two neighbors.
On Wednesday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said the Zionist regime of Israel would by no means make friends with Muslim nations.
“The Zionist regime is the enemy of humanity and could by no means be a friend of Muslim nations,” he said during a meeting with the Azerbaijani defense minister, adding the Zionists’ occupation policy and acts of aggression in the region and against the Palestinian nation attest to this fact.
Hailing friendly and deep-rooted relations between Tehran and Baku, Raisi said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran’s policy is to boost cooperation with its neighbors, particularly with Azerbaijan, in the Caucasus region.”
He said Iran is prepared to offer its technical and engineering capabilities in various arenas to Azerbaijan.
General Hasanov said his fruitful meetings and negotiations with Iranian officials would pave the way for closer cooperation between the two neighbors.