On March 5, during the afternoon hours, drone attacks were launched from the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran against the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), one drone struck the terminal building of the Nakhchivan International Airport, while another fell near a school building in the village of Shekarabad. The strikes resulted in damage to the airport infrastructure and caused injuries to two civilians. Azerbaijan strongly condemns these drone attacks carried out from Iranian territory, labeling the act a violation of international law.
Following the incident, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mojtaba Damirchilu, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Azerbaijani side expressed a sharp protest to the Iranian side, and a corresponding note of protest is expected to be presented. Baku has demanded an immediate clarification and explanation regarding the incident, urging Tehran to take urgent measures to prevent such occurrences in the future. The MFA stated that Azerbaijan reserves the right to take appropriate retaliatory measures.
The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is an exclave of Azerbaijan, bordering Iran, Armenia, and Türkiye. In recent years, regional security has remained a priority for Baku, especially concerning the protection of its borders and civilian infrastructure. This incident marks a significant escalation in regional tensions, as Azerbaijan continues to emphasize its sovereign rights and the necessity of maintaining stability along its international borders in accordance with the principles of territorial integrity.
