Iran, Azerbaijan enter 'new phase' in bilateral relations: Official

By Muhammet Kursun

TEHRAN, Iran (AA) – The recent visit of Azerbaijan's Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev to Iran is the beginning of a "new phase" in bilateral relations, an Iranian government official said on Monday.

Speaking at the news conference held in the capital Tehran, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said that Mustafayev's Sunday visit to Tehran was for the implementation of the previously agreed projects.

"With the determined stance of both sides, we left behind the unwanted and unnecessary tension carried over the press. The Iran-Azerbaijan relations entered a new phase and this visit was held in that direction. Visits on various levels will continue in the coming days," Khatibzadeh told reporters.

Earlier in November, Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Tehran and Baku overcame "misunderstandings" that developed between the two countries in recent months.

Relations between the two neighboring countries soured in recent months, with Tehran alleging the presence of Israeli troops on its border with Azerbaijan, and Baku accusing Iran of illegally sending trucks to the Karabakh region.

Recent tensions were sparked by comments made by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in an interview with Anadolu Agency on Sept. 28, accusing Iran of violating Azerbaijan’s sovereignty by hiding the identity of trucks heading to Armenia.

The detention of two Iranian drivers further escalated tensions between the two sides. The drivers were freed after a month following high-level negotiations.

Iran shares a 132-kilometer (82-miles) border with Azerbaijan, which has been a source of tension between them in recent months.