IRIA News

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Azerbaijan reported that multiple drones were launched toward its territory on March 5, 2026, with one striking the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. The attack damaged the passenger terminal of Nakhchivan International Airport and injured four civilians.

The Nakhchivan enclave borders Iran and Turkiye and is separated from the rest of Azerbaijan by Armenian territory, making it strategically sensitive.

President Ilham Aliyev strongly condemned the attack and demanded an explanation from Tehran. Azerbaijani authorities say the incident represents a direct violation of international law and warned that the country could take retaliatory measures.

“We will not tolerate this groundless act of terror and aggression committed against Azerbaijan,” Aliyev said during a meeting of the Azerbaijan Security Council.

According to Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the attack occurred around midday when multiple drones approached the region.

One drone struck the terminal building at Nakhchivan International Airport, causing visible damage to the structure and forcing emergency crews to respond to the scene. Another drone crashed near a school building in the nearby village of Shakarabad. Authorities say two civilians were injured in the incident.

Today drones launched from Iran struck Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. One hit the airport terminal, another landed near a school. The attack damaged the airport and injured two civilians. Azerbaijan has condemned the strike and demanded an explanation. 👇 pic.twitter.com/4AxTz0Xwg7

— Nasimi Aghayev🇦🇿 (@NasimiAghayev) March 5, 2026

“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 to two civilians,” the Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry said.

The Azerbaijani military has reportedly been placed on full combat readiness following the strike. Azerbaijan has summoned Iran’s ambassador, Mojtaba Demirchilu, to explain the incident. Officials in Baku say they expect a formal apology and accountability for those responsible.

Aliyev also demanded that Iran provide an explanation and punish those behind the attack. “Iranian officials must provide an explanation to the Azerbaijani side, an apology must be offered, and those who committed this terrorist act must be held criminally liable,” he said.

Iran Denies Responsibility

Iran has denied carrying out the attack and rejected accusations from Azerbaijan. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was not behind the drone strike and suggested that Israel may be responsible.

According to Iran’s foreign ministry, Araghchi told Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov that the incident could have been designed to damage relations between the two neighboring countries.

In a message published on Telegram, Araghchi described the strike as an operation “aimed at diverting public opinion and undermining Iran’s good relations with its neighbours.”

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi also denied any involvement. “The Islamic Republic of Iran has not targeted the Republic of Azerbaijan,” he said. “We do not target our neighboring countries.”

He added that Iran’s military operations are directed only at the bases of its enemies in the region. “Iran’s policy is only to strike the military bases of its enemies that are active in the region and those bases that are used to attack Iran, including those of the United States and Israel,” he said.

Despite the denials, Azerbaijan’s defense ministry said technical monitoring systems had confirmed that four Iranian drones were directed toward the Nakhchivan region. Officials in Baku said Tehran’s denial “cannot be considered acceptable under any circumstances.

Turkiye Backs Azerbaijan

Turkiye, a close ally of Azerbaijan, quickly condemned the attack and warned against the expansion of the war into new regions.

“We strongly condemn the drone attacks carried out today on Azerbaijan,” Turkiye’s foreign ministry said. The statement added that Ankara would continue to support Baku.

“Turkiye will continue to stand by Azerbaijan, as it always has.” Turkish officials also warned that attacks against third countries risk spreading the war even further.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country is taking precautions in coordination with NATO allies to prevent similar incidents.

Strategic Tensions Around Nakhchivan

The drone strike has drawn attention to the geopolitical tensions surrounding Nakhchivan and a controversial transport project linking Azerbaijan to the exclave. The region was included in a United States-brokered peace agreement signed last year between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Under that deal, a proposed land corridor known as the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” would connect mainland Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan. The project would also create a transit corridor between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Iran has strongly opposed the plan, which is also known as the Zangezur corridor. Tehran fears the route could reduce its access to Armenia and allow Western or Israeli influence to move closer to its northern borders.

Iran has repeatedly accused Azerbaijan of allowing Israel to operate intelligence facilities on its territory. Iranian officials have warned in the past that Azerbaijan’s cooperation with Israel could threaten Iran’s security. Analysts say the drone strike could be connected to these long-standing tensions.

War Expanding Across the Region

The incident in Azerbaijan comes as the broader war between Iran, Israel, and the United States continues to spread across the Middle East. Iranian drones and missiles have reportedly targeted several countries in the region in recent days.

In Iraq, drones struck near a United States military base close to Baghdad International Airport. In Qatar, the country’s Ministry of Defense said its air defense systems intercepted multiple incoming missiles.

“Our Armed Forces successfully intercepted (13) missiles while the last one fell in the territorial waters of the State of Qatar,” the ministry said.

Officials added that four drones were also intercepted without casualties. Saudi Arabia also reported shooting down a drone near the northern al-Jawf region, while Oman said one of its oil storage tanks was damaged in a drone attack.

Meanwhile, Turkiye said a ballistic missile launched from Iran was intercepted by NATO air defense systems after passing over Syria and Iraq toward Turkish airspace.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on March 5 that Iran is seeking to escalate the ‌conflict in the Middle East by attacking other countries. Kallas said, “Right now, the [Iranian] regime ​tries to drag as many countries into this war as possible.”

Iran’s armed forces denied firing a missile toward Turkiye. At the same time, the Israel-Hezbollah front in Lebanon has been reignited, with Israeli airstrikes and cross-border fighting intensifying again.

Risk of Wider Regional War

The attack on Azerbaijan highlights the growing risk that the conflict could spread beyond the Middle East into neighboring regions such as the Caucasus and Eastern Mediterranean.

Azerbaijan’s close ties with Turkiye, Israel, and the United States place it in a particularly sensitive position as the war expands.

If tensions between Baku and Tehran escalate further, the South Caucasus could become another front in an already widening conflict. For now, both sides are exchanging accusations while regional governments watch closely for signs that the confrontation could turn into a direct military clash.