The Caucasian Muslim Office (CMO), as the religious center of Azerbaijan, issued a statement of protest regarding the concern caused by the threatening claims and statements made against Azerbaijan by neighboring Iran, especially the military exercises carried out along the border with Azerbaijan, Report informs.
The statement reads:
"The people and the state of Azerbaijan consider relations with their neighbors built on the basis of peace, mutual understanding, and respect important, and in this direction, show goodwill and practical steps towards developing relations in all areas. Azerbaijan, which has restored its territorial integrity in the 2020 Patriotic War, clearly demonstrates its desire to develop political and economic relations with its neighbors for the sake of peace and cooperation. However, unfortunately, the good intentions of Azerbaijan are not always properly appreciated, some states and political circles show aggressive attitudes, non-constructive positions, and open hostility. This is regrettable and is of a special nature in relation to the neighboring state of Iran and raises legitimate concerns. Since Azerbaijan is a secular legal-democratic state, it is the duty and responsibility of state officials to express their position on political and economic issues. The religious community of theocratic Iran, as a rule, comments on political events. As the religious center of Azerbaijan, we feel obliged to comment on the realities that have arisen on the religious-spiritual level."