An Iranian drone strike has targeted Azerbaijan's autonomous Nakhchivan exclave, marking a new development in the expanding conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. The incident adds another layer of tension to a region already affected by escalating military actions across the Middle East and neighbouring areas.
Drone strike reported at airport
Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the attack occurred around midday on Thursday and involved drones striking near civilian infrastructure in the region.
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"One drone struck the terminal building of the airport in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, while another drone fell near a school building in the village of Shakarabad," Aljazeera quoted the Ministry as saying.
Officials confirmed that two civilians were injured and the airport suffered material damage.
"We strongly condemn these drone attacks launched from the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran."
Following the incident, Azerbaijan summoned Iranian Ambassador Mojtaba Demirchilou and demanded "a clear explanation". The Ministry also said the country "reserves the right to take appropriate response measures".
Strategic location and rising tensions
Nakhchivan is an Azerbaijani exclave bordered by Iran and Turkiye. The territory gained geopolitical significance after a US-brokered peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan last year.
The deal included plans for a transit corridor connecting Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan through Armenian territory. The route, known as the Zangezur corridor, has long been opposed by Iran, which fears it could reduce its access to Armenia and shift regional power dynamics.
Conflict spreading across the region
The drone strike in Nakhchivan comes as the wider conflict spreads beyond its initial battlegrounds. Iranian drones and missiles have reportedly targeted multiple locations across the region.
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In Iraq, a US military base near Baghdad International Airport was reportedly targeted. Qatar said its air defence systems intercepted a missile over Doha, while Saudi Arabia reported shooting down a drone near the al-Jawf region.
Meanwhile, Turkiye said a ballistic missile fired from Iran towards its airspace was destroyed by NATO air defence systems over the eastern Mediterranean. Iran’s armed forces later denied launching any missiles toward Turkish territory.
At the same time, hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah have intensified again in Lebanon, adding another front to the widening conflict.
