Iran holds military exercises near tense Azerbaijan border - in pictures
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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 -
Iranian ground troops take part in manoeuvres near the border with Azerbaijan. Iran is unhappy with its neighbour's ties with the West and Israel. EPA -
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
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