President Aliyev warns against military operation in Iran

The Azerbaijani leader believes "the danger of a military conflict must be reduced to a minimum in the region, which has seen a lot of crises."

"We are alarmed by any possibility of a military operation," Aliyev emphasized.

"That would be a big mistake and a catastrophe for the whole region," he added.

In reply to a query whether Azerbaijan will allow the flying over its territory in case of a U.S. strike on Iran, Aliyev said Baku "will do nothing that would mar relations with its neighbours."

"We have very good relations with Iran, where almost 30 million Azerbaijanis live," the president added. The Azerbaijani leader also expressed doubts over the efficiency of international sanctions against Tehran.

"The U.N. Security Council has the right to decide as it thinks proper, but I don't think sanctions will be efficient," he stressed.

"It is quite often that such measures have more negative than positive consequences," Aliyev emphasized. Itar-Tass