Azerbaijan on Thursday warned it was preparing unspecified response measures after two Iranian drones crossed into its territory, injuring four people in the Nakhchivan exclave, escalating concerns about the Middle East conflict spilling into the South Caucasus.
The Azerbaijani Defence Ministry said in a statement: “These attacks will not remain unanswered.” Officials confirmed they are investigating the types of drones used and are “preparing the necessary response measures to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country and to ensure the safety of civilians and civilian infrastructure.”
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry summoned the Iranian ambassador and delivered a formal note of protest, stating that the attack “contradicts the norms and principles of international law and contributes to increased tensions in the region.” The ministry demanded that Iran clarify the incident quickly and take urgent steps to prevent future incursions.
Video footage verified by Reuters showed black smoke rising near the Nakhchivan International Airport and damage to the terminal’s skylight. One drone reportedly struck the terminal building, about 10 km (6 miles) from the Iranian border, while another landed near a school in a nearby village. The four injured civilians were hospitalized and are reported to be in stable condition.
Azerbaijan already maintains tense relations with Iran, stemming from its expanding economic, energy, and military ties to Turkey and Israel. Nakhchivan, a landlocked exclave bordering Armenia, Iran, and Turkey, has a strategically significant position in the region.
Turkey, a NATO member and close ally of Azerbaijan, announced on Wednesday that its air defence systems intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile heading toward Turkish airspace. Baku and Ankara signed a defence alliance in 2021, reinforcing military cooperation in the event of regional security threats.
The incident comes amid ongoing U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, which have prompted Tehran to retaliate with missiles and drones across the Gulf, signaling a potential expansion of the conflict beyond the Middle East.
