In a meeting with Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan Zakir Hasanov, held in Tehran on Wednesday, Raisi cautioned against relations with the Israeli regime.
“The Zionist regime is the enemy of humanity and could by no means be a friend of Muslim nations,” he said, adding that the Zionists’ occupation policy and acts of aggression in the region and against the Palestinian nation attest to this fact.
He further stressed that Iran’s power is contributing to security in the region.
“The presence of Takfiri and Daesh (ISIL or ISIS) forces is not in the interests of regional people anywhere. These groups are created by the Americans and Zionists and have committed criminal acts wherever they have been present,” Raisi said.
He also expressed hope that the presence and wise role playing by the armed forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan would prevent Takfiri and anti-Muslim currents from gaining a foothold in the region.
Hailing the friendly and deep-rooted relations between Tehran and Baku, Raisi said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran’s policy is the promotion of cooperation with the neighbors, particularly with the Republic of Azerbaijan, in the Caucasus region.”
The president also pointed to Iran’s advances in various fields, saying, “Iran is prepared to offer its technical and engineering capabilities in various arenas to the Azeri brothers.”
For his part, General Hasanov hailed the fruitful meetings and negotiations with the Iranian officials, saying they would pave the way for closer cooperation between the two neighbors in future.