Iranian vessels depart Baku after AZIREX-2025 joint exercise PHOTO

Iranian naval personnel and vessels that arrived in Azerbaijan to take part in the AZIREX-2025 joint search and rescue exercise have departed Baku port, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry.

The exercise, which brought together naval units from Azerbaijan and Iran, focused on enhancing cooperation in maritime safety, emergency response, and search-and-rescue operations in regional waters. AZIREX-2025 aimed to strengthen bilateral ties and improve operational coordination between the two countries’ naval forces.

The AZIREX-2025 exercise is a joint search and rescue training operation conducted by the Azerbaijani and Iranian Navies in the Caspian Sea. It is designed to enhance maritime security, strengthen operational coordination, and foster cooperation between the naval forces of the two neighbouring countries.

The exercise involved both interactive training activities and operational drills. During these activities, participating personnel demonstrated high levels of combat readiness and professionalism, successfully completing all assigned tasks. The exercise also provided an opportunity for military leadership to assess and commend the training, skill, and discipline of the involved servicemen.

Preparations for the exercise included the arrival of Iranian naval vessels into Azerbaijan’s territorial waters, where a formal welcoming ceremony was held. Senior officials from the Azerbaijan Navy attended the ceremony, which was followed by a delegation meeting between Azerbaijani and Iranian naval commanders. Discussions focused on expanding bilateral cooperation and finalising the organisation of the joint exercise. A detailed briefing on the exercise objectives and procedures was provided, and questions from the participating personnel were addressed.

The primary aim of AZIREX-2025 is to ensure maritime safety in the Caspian Sea while enhancing mutual interaction and coordination in search and rescue operations. The exercise also reflects the continued commitment of Azerbaijan and Iran to regional stability and the professional development of their naval forces.

By Vugar Khalilov