Iran’s President Ebrahim Raeisi says the Israeli presence in the region only stokes tensions, warning that the occupying regime undermines security wherever it manages to gain a foothold.
Faraan: The remarks came on Wednesday during Raeisi’s meeting with his Azeri counterpart, Ilham Aliyev, on the sidelines of the 6th summit of the heads of the Caspian Sea littoral states in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
“The presence of the Zionist regime in any environment undermines security there,” Raeisi said, adding that security in the region can be achieved only through cooperation of regional countries and Caspian Sea neighbors. He described Iran as a “friend in hard times” who would never leave its allies alone. Commenting on the summit, he said one of the most important benefits of holding such regional meetings is that they lead to greater understanding among neighboring countries.
Raeisi called for enhancement of ties between Iran and Azerbaijan, saying Iran’s technical, geopolitical, and logistical capabilities, including in the field of transit and transportation, are suitable grounds for bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Aliyev, for his part, said the promotion of bilateral relations has been accelerated since his previous meeting with Raeisi on the sidelines of the ECO Summit in Ashgabat. “I hope that our meeting today strengthens the process of the development of relations and raises the level of cooperation between the two countries,” he said.
In his address to the summit earlier on Wednesday, Raeisi urged the participants to regard the Caspian Sea as a “sea of friendship and cooperation” in order to fulfill their responsibility “toward the current and future generations. The Caspian Sea is our common heritage and capital, the axis of bonds and friendship, and the source of blessings for more than the 270 million people of its littoral countries, which reflects the five countries in the mirror of a single body of water,” he said.
“Cooperation among the Caspian littoral states has become increasingly important, especially in light of international developments, and this collaboration not only will lead to economic prosperity and improve the well-being of our nations, but will also strengthen regional peace and stability and resolves issues regarding the Caspian [Sea] by the littoral states themselves.” He also expressed hope that holding such meetings would bring about growth, development, security, stability, well-being, peace, and friendship for the people of the Caspian Sea region.
