Azerbaijan has declared that it will respond to a drone attack allegedly launched from Iran that injured two people on Thursday, warning that the incident will not go unanswered.
According to Azerbaijani authorities, at least two drones crossed from Iran into the country’s exclave of Nakhichevan during the midday attack. The drones reportedly struck an airport facility and an area close to a school, leaving two individuals wounded.
In a statement, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defence said it is preparing retaliatory measures aimed at safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty while ensuring the protection of civilians and key infrastructure.
“The necessary retaliatory measures are being prepared to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country and to ensure the safety of civilians and civilian infrastructure,” the ministry said, stressing that the attacks would not go unanswered.
Meanwhile, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Iran’s envoy in Baku to formally protest the incident. The ministry described the drone strikes as a violation of international law and warned that such actions risk escalating tensions in the region.
The government also reiterated that it reserves the right to take appropriate retaliatory steps in response to the attack.
Relations between the two neighbouring countries have remained tense in recent years. Iran has repeatedly raised concerns over Azerbaijan’s close relationship with Israel, which is one of Baku’s key defence partners and arms suppliers.
Tehran has often expressed fears that Israeli forces could use Azerbaijani territory to launch attacks against Iran. In response to such concerns, Azerbaijan last year assured Iran that it would not allow its territory to be used for military operations targeting Tehran after Israel carried out major strikes on Iranian sites.
Iran has also historically been sensitive about separatist sentiments among its ethnic Azerbaijani population, which is estimated at around 10 million people out of the country’s 83 million citizens.
The latest incident adds to growing regional tensions following the escalation of hostilities involving Iran, Israel and the United States in recent weeks.
Azerbaijan Vows Retaliation After Iranian Drone Strike Injures Two
