The Azerbaijani government summoned the Iranian ambassador for an explanation after at least two drones crossed the border from Iran and crashed into the passenger terminal of Nakhchivan Airport and near a school building, resulting in two civilian injuries. It also announced plans to take retaliatory measures to protect the country’s sovereignty.
The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed today (5 Mar) that it summoned the Iranian ambassador in Baku to lodge a strong protest following the drone attacks from Iran on Azerbaijani territory, which caused two injuries.
A statement said the incident occurred around noon when at least two drones flew across the border from Iran into the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, an Azerbaijani territory bordering Iran but separated from the mainland by Armenia.
One drone crashed into the passenger terminal of Nakhchivan Airport, while another crashed near a school building in the village of Shekerabad, causing damage to the airport infrastructure and injuring two civilians.
The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated the attack "violates the norms and principles of international law and further escalates regional tensions," emphasizing Azerbaijan reserves the right to take appropriate retaliatory measures.
The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense announced that the country is preparing necessary retaliatory measures to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the nation, as well as the safety of civilians and infrastructure. The statement said, "Such attacks will not go unanswered."
Previously, Iran has repeatedly expressed concerns that Israel—an ally and major arms supplier to Azerbaijan—might use Azerbaijani territory as a base to attack Iran.
Last June, Azerbaijan pledged to Iran that it would not allow its territory to be used as a base for attacks on Tehran after Israel launched significant strikes on targets in Iran.
Iran is also worried about separatist movements among its Azeri ethnic minority, which numbers about 10 million out of Iran’s total population of approximately 83 million.