On March 5 in the morning, Iran carried out a drone strike targeting the airport and an area close to the school in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan. The runway at Nakhchivan International Airport in Azerbaijan was damaged by debris from an Iranian drone strike. Fragments of a drone that fell during a series of strikes originating from Iranian territory struck the airport’s asphalt surface in several locations, leaving marks and damage along the runway. Prosecutor’s Office officers were dispatched to the scene to conduct an investigation into the incident. A criminal case has been launched regarding a drone attack on civilian infrastructure in Nakhchivan.

According to Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the attacks were conducted from the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran using unmanned aerial vehicles. One drone struck the terminal building of the Nakhchivan airport, while another crashed near a school building in the village of Shakarabad. Two civilians were injured as a result of the incident. "At around midday on 5 March, drone attacks were carried out against the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of the Republic of Azerbaijan from the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran," the ministry stated. The statement emphasized that the strike caused damage to the airport building and resulted in injuries to two civilians. "We strongly condemn these drone attacks launched from the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which resulted in damage to the airport building and injuries of two civilians. This attack against the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan constitutes a violation of the norms and principles of international law and serves to increase tensions in the region. We demand from the Islamic Republic of Iran to provide, within the shortest possible timeframe, a clear explanation regarding the case, conduct an appropriate investigation, and take the necessary urgent measures to ensure that such attacks are not repeated in the future," the ministry stated. The ministry also emphasized that Azerbaijan reserves the right to take appropriate response measures. It added that Mojtaba Demirchilou, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Azerbaijan, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where a strong protest will be conveyed and an official note of protest will be handed over.

Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense also condemned the attacks, stating that Iranian armed forces used UAVs launched from Iranian territory to target Nakhchivan International Airport and other civilian infrastructure. The ministry noted that specialists are currently investigating the technical characteristics of the drones and the circumstances surrounding the strikes. The defense ministry emphasized that the attacks were carried out against civilian infrastructure on Azerbaijani territory without any military necessity. According to the statement, responsibility for the incident lies entirely with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The ministry added that necessary response measures are being prepared to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan and to ensure the safety of civilians and civilian infrastructure. "These acts of attack will not go unanswered," the statement emphasized.

In another statement, the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan rejected the statement issued by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which denied responsibility for drone attacks against Azerbaijan. In its statement, the Azerbaijani defense ministry said Iran’s claim that it respects the sovereignty of all countries, particularly Muslim and neighboring states, while denying involvement in the attacks carried out with unmanned aerial vehicles against Azerbaijan, was unacceptable. According to the ministry, technical monitoring confirmed that four drones had been launched by the Iranian Armed Forces toward the Nakhchivan region in order to carry out strikes. The statement noted that one of the unmanned aerial vehicles was neutralized by the Azerbaijan Army. The remaining drones targeted civilian infrastructure, including a secondary school building during class hours. The ministry added that the drone directed at the school failed to reach its intended target and exploded after crashing near the building. “Taking into consideration the above-mentioned, we expect the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran to put an end to the obvious denials, to express apologies for the incident, and to ensure that those responsible are punished by the relevant Iranian authorities,” the statement emphasized.

Later during the day, a meeting of the Security Council was held under the chairmanship of Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. During the session, the head of state delivered a speech addressing what he described as a terrorist act committed by Iran against Azerbaijan. Aliyev stated that Iran had targeted the territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic with unmanned aerial vehicles. According to him, civilian infrastructure was struck, including the Nakhchivan International Airport, its terminal building, a school, and other facilities. “Today, a terrorist act was committed by Iran against the territory of Azerbaijan, against the state of Azerbaijan,” Aliyev stated, adding that the Azerbaijani government strongly condemns the attack and demands that those responsible be held accountable. He emphasized that the Iranian authorities must provide an explanation, issue an apology, and ensure that those involved face criminal liability.

The president noted that this was not the first incident of this kind, recalling the attack on the Azerbaijani embassy in Tehran. He stated that the assailant, allegedly instructed by Iranian special services, carried out a violent attack that resulted in the death of one Azerbaijani citizen and the serious injury of another. According to Aliyev, the attacker—armed with a Kalashnikov assault rifle, a Molotov cocktail, and an axe—was eventually neutralized by an Azerbaijani security officer. He argued that the circumstances of the attack, including the prolonged duration of about 40 minutes without intervention from local security forces, suggested involvement at the highest levels of Iranian state structures. Aliyev stressed that Azerbaijan reacted strongly at the time by evacuating its embassy from Iran and suspending diplomatic relations. He added that Iran later apologized and that, after initial reluctance, the perpetrator was eventually executed. “This time, the response will be the same. We will not reconcile with this groundless terrorist act and aggression committed against Azerbaijan,” Aliyev emphasized, noting that the Azerbaijani Armed Forces had been instructed to prepare and implement retaliatory measures. He also reiterated that Azerbaijan’s territory has never been used against neighboring states and would not be used for such purposes. Aliyev accused Iranian state-controlled media of conducting a campaign to discredit Azerbaijan and influence the Azerbaijani population living in Iran. According to him, Azerbaijan has no interest in participating in operations against Iran or any neighboring country, emphasizing that the country’s policy is focused on protecting its own territorial integrity.

Referring to the 2020 war with Armenia, Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan had already demonstrated its strength by ending what he described as Armenian occupation. “Just as we have put an end to the Armenian occupation, we are ready to show our strength against any evil force, and Iran should not forget this,” he stated. Aliyev further criticized Iran’s reaction to Azerbaijan’s recent expressions of sympathy following events affecting Iran. He noted that Azerbaijan had extended condolences, including through a call by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and his own visit to the Iranian embassy. Despite these gestures, he said the alleged attack on Nakhchivan followed soon afterward. “Those who wanted to test our strength were crushed by the ‘Iron Fist’. Today’s incident will have the same result,” Aliyev emphasized. He announced that the Iranian ambassador to Azerbaijan had been summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and that a protest note would be delivered, along with other diplomatic steps. Additional instructions were also issued regarding border security. Aliyev added that earlier in the day Iran had requested Azerbaijan’s assistance in evacuating its embassy personnel from Lebanon. According to him, Azerbaijan agreed to provide help, including sending an aircraft, without requesting payment. He criticized what he described as Iran’s response to such assistance. Aliyev concluded by stating that Azerbaijan’s Armed Forces, including the Ministry of Defense, the State Border Service, and other special units, had been placed on the highest level of readiness. He added that the Azerbaijani public would be informed about further developments and emphasized that the country remains prepared to respond decisively to any threat. “The people of Azerbaijan must be confident that any evil force will see our ‘Iron Fist’ against them,” Aliyev stated.

Response from Iran

During the interview on March 5, Kazem Gharibabadi, the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister, stated in an interview with the Azerbaijani AnewZ channel that Iran has not struck Azerbaijan. “We are not targeting neighboring countries. Iran's policy is only to strike the military bases of the enemies operating in the region, including the US and Zionist regimes, which are used to attack the Iranian civilian population. We have stated from the beginning: if there is any military base in the region that is used to attack Iran, we will strike them. This is our policy,” Gharibabadi emphasized.

Sepah Pasdaran, the Telegram channel allegedly affiliated with the IRGC, stated: “The attack on Nakhchivan airport—especially the part where the 'Zionist regime' and US officers plan and control attacks on our country's infrastructure—was carried out by the UAV 'Arash-2' and that point was destroyed. The enemy sees this for himself and should know that Iran is not joking with anyone or making concessions. This device has a 120-kilogram warhead and very high destructive power and is used by the army's ground forces. This was just a warning blow to the 'mercenary' and 'traitorous regime' of Baku.”

The General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces denied reports alleging that Iran had sent drones to Azerbaijan. The military authority rejected the accusations and reaffirmed Tehran’s position regarding relations with neighboring states. “The Islamic Republic of Iran respects the sovereignty of all countries, especially Muslim and neighboring countries, and denies the sending of a drone by the Armed Forces to the Republic of Azerbaijan,” the statement said. The General Staff further claimed that the attack had been carried out by Israel with the aim of undermining relations between Iran and neighboring Muslim countries. Tehran asserted that the alleged operation was intended to create tensions between Iran and Azerbaijan.

Global Condemnations

On March 5, Bakhtiyor Saidov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, called Jeyhun Bayramov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan. During the telephone conversation, Saidov noted concern over drone attacks on the territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan originating from the Islamic Republic of Iran. Bayramov provided detailed information regarding these attacks, emphasizing that they constitute a violation of international law and contribute to increased tension in the region. He also stated that Iran should promptly provide clarifications and take urgent measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

On the same day, Maka Bochorishvili, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, held a telephone conversation with Jeyhun Bayramov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan. During the call, the ministers discussed the situation following Iran’s drone attacks against Azerbaijan. Bayramov informed his Georgian counterpart about the strikes carried out against the territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, noting that the terminal building of Nakhchivan International Airport was damaged and civilians were injured. He also stated that one of the drones crashed near a school building in the village of Shekarabad. Bayramov emphasized that the attack contradicts the norms and principles of international law and contributes to rising tensions in the region. He added that Iran must clarify the circumstances of the incident in a short time, provide an explanation, and take urgent measures to prevent similar cases in the future. Bochorishvili expressed concern over the incident and underlined the importance of maintaining stability and security in the region. The ministers also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.

Yermek Kocherbáiev, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, spoke by phone with Bayramov. During the conversation, Bayramov stated that the drone attacks carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran against the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, which resulted in damage to civilian infrastructure and injuries to individuals, violate Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He reiterated Azerbaijan’s demand that Iran clarify the incident, provide an explanation and apology, and take urgent steps to prevent the recurrence of such attacks. Kocherbáiev expressed deep concern about the developments and voiced hope that the situation would not escalate further.

Hakan Fidan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye, called Bayramov. During the telephone conversation, the ministers strongly protested what was described as Iran’s missile attack on Türkiye the previous day and the drone attack against Azerbaijan. They emphasized that such actions are unacceptable and contradict the norms and principles of international law, while also contributing to increased regional tensions. The sides noted that, in order to ensure the safety of flights to Nakhchivan, air traffic would temporarily be redirected to Iğdır Airport. The ministers also stressed the importance of continuing coordination within the framework of the strategic alliance between the two countries.

Numerous countries including Ukraine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Kuwait, Latvia, Moldova, Georgia has condemned the attack.