Azernews.Az

BAKU – Iran may hold military exercises in the Caspian Sea jointly with Azerbaijan and other littoral countries, Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi has said.

Gen. Vahidi told a news conference in conclusion of his two-day visit to Azerbaijan on Tuesday that such drills aim to contribute to peace and stability in the region.

In reply to a question regarding the impact of Iran’s strengthening its military presence in the Caspian region by acquiring new ships in recent years, he said these efforts would not undermine regional stability.

"Iran considers the Caspian a sea of peace, security and friendship. Our activities are aimed at this very goal. We have good relations with [other] coastal nations and these steps have been agreed with everyone."

Vahidi said his visit to the South Caucasus republic was successful and he had held talks on various facets of bilateral cooperation with the Azerbaijani president, ministers of foreign affairs and defense.

The Iranian defense minister was brief while commenting on his Azerbaijani counterpart Safar Abiyev’s statement on Monday hinting at Iran’s blame for a protracted settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper (Nagorno) Karabakh. "We always condemn the aggressor," Vahidi said.

Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s territory since the early 1990s, despite four UN resolutions on their unconditional pullout and condemnation by a slew of other international groups.

The minister noted that 18-year-long efforts by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs brokering Karabakh settlement have been fruitless so far.

"Outside countries are endeavoring for this crisis in the region to linger on," Vahidi said.

He added that Iran has repeatedly stated that the Karabakh conflict must be settled in accord with Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.