Hikmet Hajiyev, the Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and the head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, said, "We have read the statement of Ali Akbar Velayati, the Adviser to the Supreme Leader of Iran, to the Iranian media."

"We commend Ali Akbar Velayati’s view that our peoples share a common history, religious, cultural heritage, and traditions, as well as his opinions on Azerbaijani-Iranian ties in general," he added. "We regret to note that the number of recent statements by certain Iranian officials, members of parliament, and representatives of security agencies have triggered increased tension between the two countries. Azerbaijan did not initiate this tension. I would like to mention that the two military exercises the Iranian Armed Forces conducted near the Azerbaijani borders have not helped confidence-building between the two countries. However, on the contrary, they had an adverse effect. Azerbaijan has always been interested in developing relations with Iran based on mutual respect and trust, and it is still today," Hajiyev stated.

Earlier, on November 20, Caucasus Watch reported that Ali Akbar Velayati, the Adviser of Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, refuted allegations against Iran over rumors that the Islamic Republic planned to attack the Republic of Azerbaijan or seize power in the neighboring country. Velayati emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran has always been considerate of its neighbors and has never planned to invade or seize control of the Republic of Azerbaijan. He acknowledged the significant role Azerbaijanis played in Iranian history and their significant contributions to the nation's defense and promotion of Iran's strength and regional relevance. He reiterated that all Iranians, regardless of ethnicity, are considered Iranians in response to the political and media tensions between the two countries. Second, he asserted, Iran has never harbored envy toward its neighbors; rather, it has consistently demonstrated consideration for them and a desire to uphold cordial relations with all of them.

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