Iranian Drones Strike Airport in Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan as US‑Israel War Widens

Iranian drones have targeted the Nakhchivan International Airport in the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan, marking a significant expansion of the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel into the South Caucasus region.

The incident took place on Thursday around midday, when at least two drones crossed from Iranian territory into Azerbaijani airspace and struck key areas.

According to Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, one drone hit the terminal building of Nakhchivan International Airport, causing damage to infrastructure and prompting emergency response efforts. A second drone crashed near a school in the village of Shakarabad, resulting in additional disruption. Local authorities reported that two civilians were injured in the strikes, and material damage was sustained at the airport.

The Azerbaijani government strongly condemned the attacks, labeling them a violation of Azerbaijani sovereignty and international law. In response, Baku summoned Iran’s ambassador to issue a formal protest and demanded a clear explanation for the drones’ flight path and strikes. Officials also stated that Azerbaijan reserves the right to take appropriate response measures if such incursions continue.

Nakhchivan is a strategically sensitive region, separated from the rest of Azerbaijan by Armenia and bordering Iran and Turkey, making it particularly vulnerable to cross‑border incidents. The drone strikes underscore concerns about the widening scope of the Iran–US–Israel war, which has already seen multiple fronts of engagement.

The attack on Nakhchivan’s airport highlights the conflict’s potential to extend beyond the Middle East into neighbouring regions, raising alarms about regional stability, civilian safety, and diplomatic tensions. International observers are closely monitoring the situation as governments continue to assess the broader implications for security in the South Caucasus.