"The legal regime of the Caspian sea, the developments in this region, as well as bilateral and regional ties are at the centre of Ahani's talk in Baku", the official Iranian news agency IRNA said.

Mr. Ahani, Iran’s Special Representative for the Caspian Sea Affairs landed in the Azeri Capital hours after his American counterpart Mrs. Elizabeth Jones had assured Azerbaijan of the US support against "Iranian provocative attitude" in the disputed Sea.

Meeting with the Azeri President in Baku, Mrs. Jones had assured him of Washington's support, saying that: «Azerbaijan is an important state for the United States and this is why discussions are necessary for expanding bilateral relations between the two nations» and described Iranian menace of military force against Azerbaijan as "provocative in character and do not help to resolve this problem".

Speaking at a press conference before leaving Baku, the American diplomat repeated US concern about Iran's actions in the Caspian and while expressing support for Azerbaijan, stopped short of stating what concrete measure Washington would take if war breaks between the two Shi’a Muslim neighbours, saying "the support of the US is in the first instance political".

"The Caspian States should develop their relations on mutual respect and long-term interests of the regional nations, the Iranian Envoy said, adding that any external interference in the affairs of the Caspian Sea will complicate further the situation in the Caspian region".

The Caspian Sea's five bordering states, namely Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, are at loggerheads about how to divide up the world’s biggest lake, so big that is referred to as a "sea".

The Heads of the five countries are to meet next month of September in the Turkmen Capital.

"Iran and Azerbaijan are two friendly and neighbourly states with longstanding cultural and religious amity", Mr. Ahani noted, adding that the two countries should settle their dispute through peaceful means.

"However, the trend of developments in the region is against Washington and the countries of the region, especially the two countries of Iran and Azerbaijan, have placed bilateral talks on the agenda and, to this end, our country's deputy foreign minister left for Baku today at the invitation of Azerbaijani officials", the Radio said, not mentioning that besides Washington, also Turkey and Israel have also expressed full support for Azerbaijan against Iran.

But he did not explained Tehran’s surprising protest to Ankara over General Kivirkoglu’s visit, that an Iranian newspaper had termed as "Turkey’s adventurous interference in Iran-Azerbaijan relations".

An aerobatics team, Turkish Stars, from the Turkish Air Force had performed a 22-minute show at the graduation ceremony of the Azerbaijan War School, held Saturday in Baku, at which top level Azeri and foreign dignitaries, including the Azeri President and General Kivrikoglu took part.

According to the conservatives-controlled, English-language Tehran Times, the Turkish ambassador to Iran Turan Morali has been questioned (by the Iranian Foreign Ministry) as to the motives of this suspicious visit and he has received Iran's official protest to the political stunts staged by Turkish generals".

But Azeri officials commented that the show was useful in strengthening the friendship of the two states and its deterrent character concerning hostile third parties, meaning obviously Iran and Turkmenistan, which has also its own dispute with Baku.

"They said: "The unbreakable bond already existing between us was strengthened with this magnificent show -- which not only worked to provide comfort to friends but also acted as a warning to enemies. What exists is one nation but two countries, with different locations but the same roots, language and beliefs. These two countries showed the world just how strong the ties are between them", according to usually well-informed "Turkish Daily News".

"We cannot raise such a demand from the top military official. It is only the prime minister himself who can ask the Chief of Staff to be more careful in his statements", Morali was quoted as saying to Yaqubi.

But a senior Azeri official says the real reason for the arrival of the military craft is to show Iran that Turkey will not tolerate any aggression against its close strategic ally, Azerbaijan.