TEHRAN — Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has issued a security guarantee to the Islamic Republic, asserting that Baku will never permit its land to be used for hostile actions against its neighbor.

The high-level assurance was delivered on Friday during an official reception for Iran’s Minister of Defense, Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh, marking a milestone in the deepening alignment between the two nations.

Addressing the Iranian commander in a meeting characterized by mutual respect, President Aliyev underscored the “cordial and brotherly” nature of the bilateral bond.

He emphasized that the prosperity and stability of the Islamic Republic have always been central to Azerbaijan’s regional outlook.

In a statement that serves as a direct rebuttal to foreign-backed efforts to sow discord, Aliyev declared: “In the framework of our sincere and brotherly relations, Azerbaijan will not allow any threat from its territory to be directed against the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

The pledge is seen by observers as effectively neutralizing attempts by extra-regional actors to exploit the South Caucasus for destabilizing purposes.

Aliyev expressed his administration’s commitment to strengthening Iran’s security, positioning the two capitals as partners in a shared security architecture.

General Nasirzadeh, fulfilling a mission directed by President Masoud Pezeshkian, welcomed the consolidation of peace in the Caucasus, describing it as a victory for indigenous diplomacy.

He reiterated Tehran’s firm stance that the security of the region must be maintained by its own people, warning that the intervention of “extra-regional players” is inherently disruptive and serves only to undermine local tranquility.

Nasirzadeh also engaged in extensive technical discussions with his Azeri counterpart, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov.

The commanders explored avenues for enhanced military cooperation and joint security initiatives.

This visit reflects the new chapter in Tehran-Baku relations, signaling that both nations are moving beyond past tensions toward a robust partnership defined by good-neighborliness and a collective rejection of foreign meddling in the South Caucasus.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveled to Baku in January to meet with President Aliyev, followed by his phone conversation with his counterpart, Jeyhun Bayramov, on Monday.

During these sessions, Azerbaijan delivered a security guarantee, vowing that its territory and airspace would never be used for military aggression against Iran.

This diplomatic thaw is rooted in President Pezeshkian’s proactive outreach, highlighted by his dual visits to Azerbaijan in April and November 2025, which successfully pivoted the relationship toward a future of mutual trust and synergy.