Iran's MFA clarifies reasons for military drills on border with Azerbaijan

"Iran's military exercises are nothing new."

The statement came from Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani at a press conference on October 17, APA reports.

Answering a question about the timing and location for the military rehearsal, namely along the Araz River on the border with Azerbaijan, he said these exercises are held at different times based on the needs of the Iranian army.

Earlier, Caliber.Az reported that the Ground Forces of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) have started massive military drills in the country’s northwestern province of East Azarbaijan.

The drills are being carried out after Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed on deploying an EU civil mission on the border of the two countries, and amid Tehran's long-standing concern about Azerbaijan's military cooperation with Israel.