Defense minister: Iran keen on defense cooperation with Azerbaijan

The Islamic Republic of Iran attaches significant attention to Azerbaijan in its defense diplomacy, Dehqan said.

Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier-General Hossein Dehqan is on a visit to Azerbaijan at the official invitation of his Azeri counterpart General Zakir Hasanov.

Meanwhile, the Iranian minister conferred with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev and conveyed warm greetings of President Hassan Rouhani to him.

Referring to cultural and religious affinities between Iran and Azerbaijan, Dehqan said the political determination of leaders of the two countries helps expand relations and cooperation and lead to a promising future.

Iran and Azerbaijan share common geopolitical interests and they must thwart the threats which requires closer contribution and cooperation, said the Iranian minister.

Iran defense minister also voiced Iran's readiness to expand cooperation in various defense and military fields and underlined that Iran is ready to enhance the level of defense as well as provide required military equipment to the Azeri army.

The Iranian defense minister expressed outrage at Saudi crimes against humanity in Yemen by indiscriminate bombardment of the civilian targets in Yemen.

'Saudi military intervention in Yemen enjoying support from the US and Zionist regime has complicated the situation,' he said.

Iran has offered a four-point peace plan to halt the deterioration of humanitarian plight in Yemen, he said adding that immediate truce, shipment of humanitarian emergency supplies to Yemen, Yemeni-Yemei talks and formation of national government to stop bloodshed in the country.

The efforts of the countries in the region and their close cooperation and interaction in fight with terrorism could help increase the security of the region, Dehqan said.

The Caspian Sea is manifestation of peace and friendship, he said adding that Caspian Sea should not turn into a region for arms race.

All issues of the Caspian Sea region should be resolved by the Sea littoral states through talks and peaceful means, Dehqan said.

Azeri president, for his part expressed satisfaction over the visit of the Iranian defense minister and welcomed expansion of relations between the two countries.

Azeri president expressed the hope that the visit of the Iranian defense minister to help deepen and broaden bilateral defense and military cooperation between Tehran and Baku.

Azeri government regards Iran's stability, security and economic development regarded as its own, the Azeri president said adding that to the same reason Azerbaijan has always backed Iran peaceful nuclear activities and believe that nothing can stop the peaceful nuclear program.

All countries in the region should contribute to thwart the regional threats posed by the terrorists and help restore security, peace and stability, the Azeri president said.

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