Iran and Azerbaijan have launched a joint special forces exercise, state media in the Islamic republic said yesterday, weeks after Iran's president visited the neighbouring country.

The "Aras-2025" exercise, running through May 21, involves Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Azerbaijani troops, the IRNA news agency reported.

The drill was being held in areas of Karabakh previously disputed with Armenia before Azerbaijan regained control in September 2023.

"This drill is a key step in boosting border security and confronting potential threats," said Brigadier General Vali Madani of the Guards' ground forces.

Last month, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian made a rare visit to Baku, where he met his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev.