Azerbaijan's President Accuses Iran of Aggression Following Drone Attack on Nakhchivan Airport

Drone Incident in Nakhchivan

According to ХВИЛЯ: On Thursday, March 5, two drones originating from the direction of the Iranian border struck civilian infrastructure in Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan exclave. One drone hit the terminal of Nakhchivan Airport, while another crashed near a school in the village of Shekarabad, causing casualties among civilians and damaging civilian infrastructure. This region is a strategically sensitive area for Azerbaijan, bordered by Iran, Armenia, and Turkey.

In response, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev accused Iran of aggression, stating that

Iran's recent actions constitute direct aggression and a terrorist act against statehood

. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry summoned the Iranian ambassador and issued an ultimatum, demanding explanations and an apology from Iranian officials. Concurrently, the Azerbaijani army has been instructed to repel any further drone attacks, and the Foreign Ministry has warned of its right to take responsive measures to protect sovereignty.

Iran's Response and Potential Consequences

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi denied any Iranian involvement in the incident, asserting that

The Islamic Republic does not attack its neighbors, and any potential targets would only be the military bases of adversaries in the event of a threat

. President Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan would not participate in operations against Iran and ruled out the possibility of being drawn into a large-scale war.

This incident threatens to severely impact the already tense relations between Azerbaijan and Iran. Attacks on civilian infrastructure have raised international concern and could lead to new diplomatic conflicts. Azerbaijan's emphasis on its right to self-defense may become a catalyst for further regional escalation if the situation is not resolved through diplomatic channels.