Iran denies drone attack on Azerbaijan as Baku vows retaliation
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Iran on Thursday denied launching a drone attack on Azerbaijan after authorities in Baku said at least two drones crossed the border and struck targets in the country’s exclave region, injuring civilians and damaging infrastructure.
According to Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry, the drones entered the country’s exclave of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic — which borders Iran but is separated from mainland Azerbaijan by Armenia — before hitting the terminal building of Nakhchivan International Airport and an area near a school in the village of Shekerabad.
Officials said two civilians were wounded in the midday attacks.
A statement from Azerbaijan’s defence ministry said the country was preparing retaliatory measures. “These acts of attack will not go unanswered,” it said, adding that steps were being taken to protect the country’s territorial integrity and ensure the safety of civilians and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry summoned the Iranian envoy in Baku to lodge a “strong protest,” saying the incident violated international law and risked escalating tensions in the region.
Iran’s armed forces, however, denied any involvement. In a statement broadcast on state television, the general staff said the Islamic Republic had not launched any drones toward Azerbaijan and suggested that Israel could be responsible.
The statement accused Israel of attempting to undermine relations between Muslim countries, saying such actions aimed at creating divisions were “not unprecedented.”
Relations between Iran and Azerbaijan have long been strained due to Azerbaijan’s close ties with Israel, which is one of Baku’s key arms suppliers. Tehran has repeatedly expressed concern that Israeli forces could use Azerbaijani territory to launch attacks against Iran.
Last year, Azerbaijan sought to reassure Tehran that it would not allow its territory to be used for military operations against Iran after Israel carried out strikes on Iranian targets.
Iran also remains sensitive to the issue of ethnic identity across the border, as millions of ethnic Azerbaijanis live within Iran’s population, a factor that has historically complicated relations between the two neighbours.