Dr Brenda Shaffer, Israel's foremost expert on Azerbaijan, suggests it is highly unlikely that Israel's sale of drones and anti-aircraft missile defense systems to Azerbaijan in $1.6bln arms deal points to a bilateral defense pact against Iran.

“If Azerbaijan is bolstering its defense systems, this is more likely to be a display of strength intended for Armenia,” the expert told The Guardian on Friday, March 30.

"Azerbaijan is bordered by Russia, Iran and Turkey. Its economy is dependent on the safe export of oil, which requires regional stability," Shaffer said.

“More than 30 per cent of the Iranian population are ethnic Azeris,” the expert said, adding that Azerbaijan tries to maintain friendly relations with Iran.

"It would be very wary of allowing itself to take a step that might be seen as aggressive. If there is a conflict with Iran, Azerbaijan will be the first to suffer," Trend quoted Shaffer as saying.