Azerbaijan vows response after Iranian drones crash near airport and school

The ministry said military specialists are currently examining the technical parameters of the drones and the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Officials stressed that Iran bears full responsibility for the strike.

The Defense Ministry added that it is preparing necessary response measures to protect the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as safeguard civilians and infrastructure.

“These acts of aggression will not remain unanswered. Azerbaijan reserves the right to take appropriate retaliatory measures,” the ministry said in a statement.

On March 5, drones flying from the direction of Iran crashed in Azerbaijan. One drone fell onto a terminal building at the airport in the city of Nakhchivan, while another landed near a school.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the drone strike and said two people were injured. The Azerbaijani government summoned Iran’s ambassador following the incident.

On March 4, Türkiye’s Defense Ministry said NATO air defense forces had intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Iran that was heading toward the country’s airspace. Iranian officials denied the attack.

Tensions across the region escalated on Feb. 28 after the United States and Israel launched operations against Iran and killed several senior Iranian officials. In response, Tehran launched missiles and drones at Israel and later targeted countries across the Persian Gulf.

Explosions were reported in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates and in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Iran also attacked U.S. military bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan.

Officials in the United Arab Emirates said Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones, damaging airports, ports, U.S. consulates, and civilian facilities. Large fires were also reported at oil infrastructure sites in the UAE.