Iranian drones strike Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan international airport Iranian drones targeted the passenger terminal of Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan International Airport and a school near the village of Shakarabad, close to the Iranian border, in a reported escalation of tensions. Azerbaijani authorities confirmed at least two people were injured in the attack, which occurred on Thursday. The incident has drawn strong condemnation from Azerbaijan, with officials accusing Tehran of orchestrating the strike. Azerbaijani authorities stated that one drone struck the airport's terminal building, while another landed near the school in Shakarabad. A government statement condemned the attacks, calling them a "terrorist act" and demanding an apology from Iran. President Ilham Aliyev accused Iran of launching the strikes, stating, "Today, Iran committed an act of terror against the territory of Azerbaijan." He called for Iran to provide an explanation, issue an apology, and hold those responsible accountable. The Azerbaijani military has been placed on full combat readiness, according to Aliyev. The foreign ministry summoned Iran's ambassador to the country earlier on Thursday. However, Tehran denied involvement, with the Iranian general staff stating, "The Islamic Republic of Iran ... denies its armed forces launched a drone toward the Republic of Azerbaijan." Azerbaijan's defense ministry rejected Iran's denial, asserting that technical monitoring systems confirmed four Iranian drones were directed toward the Nakhchivan region. The ministry demanded that Iran stop its "obvious denial," apologize, and ensure those responsible are punished. Turkey's foreign ministry also condemned the drone strikes, urging an immediate end to the attacks.#iran #turkey #shakarabad #azerbaijan #nakhchivan_international_airport
Armenia and Azerbaijan have received a total of approximately 1,500 evacuees from Iran, according to reports from pro-government media outlets and international news agencies. Azerbaijan, which has maintained a closed land border with Iran since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, reportedly received just under 1,200 individuals. Among these evacuees, only four were identified as Iranian nationals, while the majority were foreign citizens, including 361 Chinese, 246 Russian, and at least 99 Tajik nationals. Additionally, 224 of the evacuees were Azerbaijani citizens. A separate report from Azerbaijan’s state media noted that 21 additional people were evacuated via the Astara border crossing with Iran on Wednesday, including individuals from Tajikistan, Pakistan, China, and France. The closure of Azerbaijan’s land border, which has been extended multiple times since the pandemic, has been cited as a reason for the limited movement of people through the region. Armenia, meanwhile, received 400 evacuees from Iran between Monday and Tuesday, with 300 of them being Iranian nationals. According to Russian state-owned news agency Sputnik, the evacuees were fleeing Iran through the Meghri border checkpoint, which has been a key route for cross-border movement. Sputnik also highlighted that Iran’s airspace remains closed, prompting many to seek alternative routes for evacuation. Neither Armenia nor Azerbaijan has officially disclosed the number of border crossings from Iran since the conflict with Israel and the United States escalated in late February. The situation has raised questions about the humanitarian impact of the ongoing tensions, as civilians continue to move across borders in search of safety or to return to their home countries.#iran #armenia #azerbaijan #meghri_border_checkpoint #astara_border_crossing
Azerbaijan condemns drone attacks from Iranian territory Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a strong condemnation of drone attacks conducted from Iranian territory. The ministry emphasized that these attacks violate international law and exacerbate regional tensions. Officials stated that such actions contradict established norms and principles governing state behavior. Azerbaijan has also indicated it retains the authority to implement necessary countermeasures in response to the incidents. The Foreign Ministry’s statement highlighted the gravity of the situation, framing the attacks as a direct threat to Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and security. It called for adherence to international legal frameworks to prevent further escalation. The ministry did not specify the exact nature of the attacks or their impact, but the remarks underscored the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region. Azerbaijan’s position reflects its broader stance on cross-border threats, particularly in light of its historical disputes with neighboring countries. The government has consistently emphasized the importance of maintaining territorial integrity and defending national interests through diplomatic and strategic means. The recent condemnation aligns with previous statements from Azerbaijani officials regarding perceived aggression from Iran. The incident has drawn attention to the complex dynamics in the South Caucasus, where multiple nations navigate competing interests and historical grievances. While Azerbaijan has focused on its energy sector and regional alliances, the drone attacks highlight the persistent challenges of ensuring security in a volatile geopolitical landscape.#iran #azerbaijan #azerbaijan_ministry_of_foreign_affairs #south_caucasus #azerbaijan_iran_disputes
Azerbaijan Says Two People Injured by Iranian Drones Azerbaijan has reported that two individuals were injured in an incident involving Iranian drones. The country's authorities confirmed the casualties, though details about the circumstances of the attack remain unclear. The incident has raised concerns about regional security and the potential for heightened tensions between Azerbaijan and Iran. Officials have not yet provided further information on the extent of the damage or the response measures taken. The situation underscores the ongoing challenges in the region, where conflicts and cross-border incidents continue to pose risks to civilian populations.#iran #iranian_drones #azerbaijan #regional_security #cross_border_incidents
