Azerbaijani officials protest to Tehran after Iranian drones cross border, injure two

BAKU: Azerbaijan has formally protested to Iran after two drones believed to have originated from across the border entered its territory and injured two people near an airport in the Nakhchivan exclave, officials said on Thursday.

The Azerbaijani foreign ministry said it had summoned Iran’s ambassador in Baku and delivered a diplomatic note following the incident, which authorities said violated the country’s sovereignty.

In a statement, the ministry said the drone incursion ran counter to international law and risked further heightening tensions in the region. It called on Tehran to swiftly clarify the circumstances of the incident, provide an explanation and take steps to prevent similar events in the future.

Baku also said it reserved the right to take what it described as “appropriate response measures” in response to the situation.

According to the foreign ministry, one of the drones struck the terminal building at Nakhchivan International Airport, located roughly 10 kilometres from the Iranian border. The second drone reportedly landed near a school in a nearby village.

A source with knowledge of the incident said the impact triggered a fire. Video footage shared with Reuters showed plumes of dark smoke rising near the airport and damage to part of the terminal’s roof structure.