BAKU — Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Thursday accused Iran of committing a “terrorist act” after a drone strike hit the country’s autonomous Nakhchivan exclave, injuring four people.“The state of Azerbaijan strongly condemns this heinous terrorist act. Those responsible must be brought to justice without delay,” Aliyev said in a statement issued by the presidency following a Security Council meeting.He demanded an explanation from Iranian authorities, saying Baku expects an official apology and criminal accountability for those responsible.Aliyev also argued that the incident was not the first such “terrorist act” against Azerbaijan, recalling the attack on the Azerbaijani embassy in Tehran in January 2023, which he said had been ordered at the highest levels of Iran’s state institutions.“This time, our response will be the same. We will not tolerate this unprovoked act of terror and aggression against Azerbaijan,” he said.Aliyev added that Azerbaijan’s armed forces had been ordered to prepare appropriate retaliatory measures while emphasizing that his country does not allow its territory to be used against neighboring states.“Azerbaijan has not and will not participate in operations against Iran,” he said, describing it as a principled position.Earlier Thursday, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry said drones launched from Iran struck Nakhchivan, with one hitting the terminal building of Nakhchivan International Airport and another falling near a school in the village of Shakarabad.“We strongly condemn these drone attacks launched from the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the ministry said, noting that the strike caused damage to the airport building and injuries to civilians.The Health Ministry later said four people were injured, while the Defense Ministry reported that four drones were launched in the attack.Iran denied responsibility for the incident. During a phone call with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said no projectiles had been launched toward Azerbaijan and that Iranian forces were investigating the matter.
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