Iran won't tolerate Israel's presence near borders, Tehran tells Baku

PanARMENIAN.Net - Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says Tehran will not tolerate Israel’s presence near the country’s borders and will take due measures against the regime’s activities, Press TV reports.

Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks on Thursday, September 30 while receiving credentials of the new Ambassador of Azerbaijan.

Stressing that countries had the right to hold military exercises within their territories in line with safeguarding their national sovereignty, the Iranian foreign minister said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran does not tolerate the presence and activity of the Zionist regime against its national security and will take any necessary action in this regard.”

Amir-Abdollahian voiced dissatisfaction about the recent mistreatment of Iranian truck drivers and the arrest of two of them en route to Armenia by Azeri border guards, and expressed dismay over the recent negative statements by the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Iran recently held military drills in the country’s northwestern border area, which was criticized by Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev said he was “very surprised” by Iran’s decision to hold drills close to his country’s borders, and questioned the timing of the maneuvers.