Today, around noon, Iran attacked Nakhchivan with drones. As a result of the incident, 4 civilians were injured.
Azerbaijan's Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense officially reacted to the drone attack.
President Ilham Aliyev also convened the Security Council, discussed the incident, and called Iran's action an act of treachery.
In a statement to Modern.az regarding the incident, Siyavush Novruzov, a Member of Parliament elected from Nakhchivan, stated that the drone attacks on the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic cause serious concern:
"In the modern system of international relations, the preservation of mutual trust, respect for sovereignty, and good-neighborly relations among states is considered one of the fundamental conditions for regional stability and security. Especially in an era of complex geopolitical processes, states approaching each other's territorial integrity with respect, ensuring the inviolability of borders, and building relations based on mutual trust is one of the fundamental principles of international law.
Since regaining its independence, Azerbaijan has consistently been guided by the principles of peace, cooperation, and good-neighborliness in its foreign policy. Our country implements a policy that contributes to the preservation of stability and security in the region and promotes the development of relations based on mutual respect and equal partnership. Azerbaijan has never allowed its territory to be used as a source of threat against any state; on the contrary, it has acted as a proponent of cooperation and dialogue, rather than confrontation, in the region.
In this regard, the incident involving drone attacks on the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic from the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran causes serious concern. Today, around noon, as a result of drone attacks carried out from Iranian territory towards Nakhchivan, one unmanned aerial vehicle fell on the terminal building of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic's airport, while another drone fell near a school building in Shakarabad village. As a result of the incident, the airport building was damaged, and two civilians were injured.
The Azerbaijani side strongly condemns this attack, which poses a threat to civilian infrastructure and the peaceful population. This action carried out against the territory of Azerbaijan not only contradicts the norms and principles of international law, and the principle of respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, but also constitutes a seriously dangerous precedent that serves to increase tension in the region.
Official Baku demands that the Iranian side clarify the incident in a short period, provide an official explanation regarding it, and take necessary and urgent measures to prevent such occurrences from repeating in the future. At the same time, the Azerbaijani side has also declared that it reserves the right to take appropriate retaliatory measures in accordance with international law.
In connection with the incident, Mojtaba Damirchilu, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Republic of Azerbaijan, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a strong protest was conveyed to the Iranian side, and it was noted that an official note of protest would be submitted. This step once again demonstrates Azerbaijan's resolute rejection of any action directed against its sovereignty and territorial security.
Azerbaijan has always attached importance to the development of relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran based on mutual respect and good-neighborly relations. The development of relations between the two peoples, connected by historical, cultural, and religious ties, on a plane of mutual trust and stability serves the common interests of the region. In this regard, the prompt and objective investigation of the incident and the taking of necessary steps to prevent the recurrence of such incidents are of particular importance".
S. Novruzov emphasized that Azerbaijan's position is clear and principled:
"The territory of our country cannot and is not used for activities against other states under any circumstances. The Azerbaijani state demonstrates respect and friendly relations towards all its neighbors, refrains from actions that could lead to increased tension in the region, and consistently demonstrates its commitment to these principles.
It was once again emphasized that Azerbaijan is committed to the norms and principles of international law, respect for sovereignty, and a good-neighborly policy in its relations with all neighboring states. The territory of Azerbaijan has never been and is not a threat to Iran or any other country in general. This principle forms the basis of our country's foreign policy course and will remain unchanged hereafter".
