Iran Drone Attack “Will Not Go Unanswered”: Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan said on Thursday it is preparing to respond after two civilians were injured in drone strikes that authorities say crossed from Iran into the country’s exclave of Nakhchivan.

According to a statement from Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry, at least two drones entered Nakhchivan around midday from Iranian territory. The region borders Iran and is separated from the rest of Azerbaijan by Armenia.

Officials said one drone struck the terminal building of Nakhchivan Airport, while the second crashed near a school in the village of Shekerabad.

“One drone fell on the terminal building of Nakhichevan Airport, while another drone fell near a school building in the village of Shekerabad,” the ministry said.

Authorities reported that the attacks injured two civilians and caused damage to the airport facility.

The defence ministry in Baku said it was taking steps to respond to the incident and protect the country’s sovereignty and citizens.

It stated it was “preparing the necessary retaliatory measures to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country and to ensure the safety of civilians and civilian infrastructure.”

“These acts of attack will not go unanswered,” it added.

Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry also summoned Iran’s envoy in Baku to deliver what it described as a strong protest over the incident, saying the attack violated international norms.

The ministry said the strike “contradicts the norms and principles of international law and contributes to rising tensions in the region”.

“Azerbaijan reserves the right to take appropriate retaliatory measures,” it added.

Iran has previously voiced concerns about Azerbaijan’s close relationship with Israel, which is a key defence partner and arms supplier to Baku. Tehran has warned that Israeli forces could potentially use Azerbaijani territory for operations against Iran.

In June last year, Azerbaijan sought to reassure Iran that its territory would not be used for attacks against Tehran after Israel carried out a major strike on Iranian targets.