2026 Iranian strikes on Azerbaijan
| 2026 Iranian strikes on Azerbaijan | |
|---|---|
| Part of the 2026 Iran war | |
  2026 Iranian strikes on Azerbaijan (Azerbaijan) | |
| Location | Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Azerbaijan |
| Date | 5 March 2026 |
Attack type | Drone strike |
| Weapons | One-way attack drone |
| Injured | 4 |
| Accused |  Iran |
On 5 March 2026, two one-way attack drones struck the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan,[1] during the 2026 Iran war. Azerbaijan blamed the attack on Iran, and vowed a response. Iran denied attacking Azerbaijan, and suggested that it was an Israeli false flag attack.
Strikes
[edit]5 March
[edit]The Iranian drones crashed into Nakhchivan International Airport in Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan exclave.[2] One drone fell on the terminal building of Nakhchivan International Airport, while another landed near a school building in the village of Shakarabad, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, resulting in damage to the airport and injuries to four civilians.[3] Following these injuries, Azerbaijan summoned their Iranian ambassador[4] and promised a military response.[5]
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran stated it had no involvement in the strike.[6]
Reactions
[edit]Azerbaijan
[edit]Azerbaijan stated that it reserved the right to take retaliatory measures.[7] Azerbaijan's president Ilham Aliyev accused Iran of terrorism and vowed retaliation, describing the perpetrators as "dishonorable people with ugly faces",[8] especially angered by the fact the attack took place right after he had visited the Iranian Embassy in Baku to offer condolences.[9] On March 6, 2026, Azerbaijan recalled its diplomatic staff from Iran.[10]
Iran
[edit]Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and Iranian diplomat Kazem Gharibabadi denied that Iran had attacked Azerbaijan.[11] Araghchi suggested that it was an Israeli false flag to draw Azerbaijan into the conflict with Iran.[11][8]
Other actors
[edit]
Turkey: The Ministry of Foreign Affaris condemned the Iranian strikes, calling for an end to strikes on "third countries", reaffirming continued support for Azerbaijan.[12]
Albania: Prime Minister Edi Rama condemned the Iranian strikes and called for Iran to be classified "as a terrorist state".[13]
Pakistan: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif condemned the Iranian strikes and reaffirmed support for its "brotherly country".[14]
Ukraine: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Iranian strikes and described it as a "global threat imposed by Iran".[15]
Moldova: Moldova voiced support for Azerbaijan and condemned the Iranian strikes.[16]
Kazakhstan: President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev strongly condemned the Iranian strikes.[17]
France: France condemned the Iranian strikes and wished a recovery for the injured civilians.[18]
Georgia: Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze condemned Iran’s drone attack on Nakhchivan, expressed solidarity with Azerbaijan, and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.[19]
References
[edit]- ^ Sauer, Pjotr (2026-03-05). "Azerbaijan accuses Iran of 'terrorist' drone attack on airport that injured four people". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ "Missiles, drones coming from Iran fell on airport in Azerbaijan, source says". Reuters. 5 March 2026.
- ^ Baghirova, Nailia; Papachristou, Lucy. "Azerbaijan says four injured by Iranian drones, vows to retaliate". Reuters.
- ^ "Live - Azerbaijan summons Iran ambassador after strike injures two in Nakhchivan". Iran International. 2026-03-05. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ Grove, Thomas. "Azerbaijan Promises Response to Iran Drone Attack". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ "Iranian drones strike Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan international airport". Euronews. March 5, 2026. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ Sauer, Pjotr (2026-03-05). "Azerbaijan accuses Iran of drone attack on airport that injured two people". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ a b "Azerbaijan vows retaliation after Iran's 'terrorist' drone strikes". Le Monde. 2026-03-05. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ "Ilham Aliyev visited Iranian Embassy in Azerbaijan to offer condolences". president.az. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ "Azerbaijan recalls its diplomats from Iran". Aze.Media. 2026-03-06. Retrieved 2026-03-06.
- ^ a b "Iran denies its drones hit airport in Azerbaijan's exclave as war widens". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ "Turkey condemns Iranian drone attacks on Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan". Iran International. 2026-03-05. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ "Iran should be classified as a terrorist state". Modern.az (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ "Pakistan voices strong solidarity with Türkiye, Azerbaijan after attacks". Daily Sabah. 2026-03-05. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ "Ukraine urges global action after Iranian drones strike Azerbaijan". NV. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ "Moldova voices support for Azerbaijan after Iranian drone attacks on Nakhchivan". Trend.Az. 2026-03-05. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ "From Tokayev to the attack on Azerbaijan REACTION". Modern.az (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ "France condemns Iranian drone attack on Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan airport". Trend.Az. 2026-03-05. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ "Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze made a phone call to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev". Official web-site of President of Azerbaijan Republic. 5 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.