Iran holds military exercises near tense Azerbaijan border

Azerbaijan and Israel have strengthened their military alliance in recent months, which Iran sees as a threat

An Iranian Army helicopter launches a weapon during a military exercise in the north-west of the country, close to the border with Azerbaijan. AFP

A handout photo made available by the Iranian Army office shows an explosion during a military exercise by the Iranian Army in the north-west of Iran, close to the border with Azerbaijan, 01 October, 2021. Iran is holding a military exercise near the Iran-Azerbaijan border in north west of the country. EPA / IRANIAN ARMY HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY / NO SALES

Artillery, drones and helicopters will take part in the drills, state TV said. Tehran is particularly concerned about Azerbaijan's growing military co-operation with Israel. EPA

Iranian Army tanks lined up for the exercise. Iran said it would not tolerate the presence of Israel near its border and would 'carry out any necessary action in this regard'. EPA

Iranian military vehicles are transported to the border area for the exercise. Azerbaijan earlier said it was 'stunned' to hear of the exercise. EPA

An Iranian Army helicopter taking part in the exercise. Israel supplied Azerbaijan with high-tech drones that it used in last year's conflict with with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region last year. AFP

Explosions during the Iranian Army manoeuvres. EPA

Iranian tanks take part in in the exercises. Relations are further complicated as Azerbaijan is a vital border passage that lorries use to ferry fuel and other goods from Iran to Armenia. AFP

Iranian troops during the military exercise. Despite tensions, Tehran insists its relationship with Azerbaijan remains 'important'. EPA

Ground forces take part in the Iranian show of strength near Azerbaijan. AP Photo

The drills come after Azerbaijan hosted joint military exercises with Turkish and Pakistani special forces for the first time, in September. EPA

Iran’s national army began exercises on Friday near its border with Azerbaijan, state TV reported, putting on a display of military capabilities near a neighbour it is increasingly sceptical of for its ties to the west and Israel.

Artillery, drones and helicopters will participate in the drills, the report said, without elaborating on how long they would last or where exactly they would be held. Iran occasionally holds such events, saying it wants to assesses combat readiness and demonstrate capabilities.

The exercises come amid escalating tensions along the border. Iran is wary of Azerbaijan in particular for its deep military co-operation with Israel, and on Thursday voiced its concerns to Azerbaijani ambassador in Tehran Ali Alizadeh.

“We do not tolerate the presence and activity against our national security of the Zionist regime, or Israel, next to our borders,” Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said. “And we will carry out any necessary action in this regard.”

Mr Amirabdollahian described relations between Iran and Azerbaijan as “important,” but insisted Iran had the “right” to hold the exercises.

Earlier this week, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said he was stunned by the planned exercises, in an interview with Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency.

Azerbaijan and Israel have strengthened their military alliance in recent months, with Israeli-supplied high-tech drones helping Azerbaijan in its conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region last year.

The tensions with Azerbaijan have also complicated a vital border passage that lorries use to ferry fuel and other goods from Iran to Armenia. Azerbaijani authorities have detained two Iranian lorry drivers in recent weeks for trying to take the route, angering Iran.

Ground forces chief Gen Kioumars Heidari described the presence of Israel in Azerbaijan as “disrupting security” in the region, the official IRNA news agency reported. “Our sensitivity towards the border has increased and (Israel’s) activities here in under our surveillance completely,” he said at the exercises.

The military drills come after Azerbaijan hosted joint military exercises in September with Turkish and Pakistani special forces for the first time.

The region remains on edge over Iran’s escalating nuclear programme. Talks in Vienna to revive Tehran’s now-tattered 2015 accord with world powers have stalled since June, with no date set for their resumption.