In Azerbaijan, Israel’s defense chief discusses Iran, security cooperation

Lilach Shoval

Jul 14, 2023

The Incubent Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff General Konstantinos Floros (L),Greece's Minister of Defence Nikos Panagiotopoulos (M) and his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant (R) review an honor guard prior to their meeting, at the Ministry of National Defence in Athens, Greece, on May 4, 2023 (Photo by Menelaos Myrillas / SOOC / SOOC via AFP) (Photo by MENELAOS MYRILLAS/SOOC/AFP via Getty Images) — The Incubent Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff General Konstantinos Floros (L),Greece's Minister of Defence Nikos Panagiotopoulos (M) and his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant (R) review an honor guard prior to their meeting, at the Ministry of National Defence in Athens, Greece, on May 4, 2023 — MENELAOS MYRILLAS/SOOC/AFP via Getty Images

BAKU, Azerbaijan — Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Thursday that his two-day visit to Azerbaijan brings cooperation between the two countries to a new level in security, intelligence and trade.

This statement by Gallant comes as tensions between Israel and Iran-affiliated Hezbollah increase on the Israel-Lebanon border.

Briefing Israeli journalists, Gallant said that "the visit to Azerbaijan is a significant step up in the discussion on the various elements that will strengthen the relationship between the countries." On his visit, he met Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, Minister of Defense Zakir Hasanov and State Border Commander Elchin Guliyev.

"We discussed important cooperations in the security, intelligence and industrial fields. The visit will strengthen strategic relations and deepen cooperation in many ways."