Azerbaijan Becomes Latest Target of Iranian Drone Strikes

05/03/2026

Azerbaijan Becomes Latest Target of Iranian Drone Strikes

BAKU, Mar 5: Missiles and drones flying from the direction of Iran struck the territory of Nakhchivan International Airport in the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan on Thursday, according to a source close to the Azerbaijani government.

The airport, situated roughly 10 km (6 miles) from the Iranian border, was reportedly hit as projectiles landed on its grounds, prompting local fires and visible smoke near the terminal area.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday accused Iran of carrying out a drone attack on its exclave of Nakhchivan. The ministry said in a statement that one drone crashed near the airport in Nakhchivan, and another one near a school. Two civilians were injured, the ministry said. Azerbaijan “strongly condemns this incident,” the Foreign Ministry said in the statement.

Azerbaijan “reserves the right to take necessary retaliatory measures,” the ministry said, adding that it has summoned the Iranian ambassador to protest. “Such actions contradict the norms and principles of international law and contribute to increased tension in the region,” it said. Iran has not acknowledged targeting Azerbaijan, but its attacks have spread erratically as the war has gone on, involving regional countries and beyond.

Nakhchivan is territorially separated from the rest of Azerbaijan. It accounts for about 6% of Azerbaijan’s territory, with a swath of Armenia about 40 kilometers (25 miles) wide between the exclave and Azerbaijan. It also borders Azerbaijan’s close ally, Turkey, and Iran.

Video circulating on social media appeared to show flames and explosions at or near the airport after the incident, although independent verification of the footage’s authenticity and full circumstances remains pending.

Details on the number of projectiles involved, the extent of any structural damage, and whether there were casualties have not been confirmed by Azerbaijani authorities. A formal official statement was expected following the initial report.

The incident comes amid heightened regional tensions linked to the broader conflict involving Iran and other Middle Eastern actors, raising concerns about spill‑over effects beyond the immediate theatre of conflict.

Officials in Azerbaijan have not yet issued formal comment on the matter, and Iran has not publicly responded to reports attributing the strike to projectiles originating from its territory.