Azerbaijan Accuses Iran of Drone Attack on Nakhchivan
Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has accused Iran of carrying out a drone attack against the autonomous republic of Nakhchivan, an exclave bordered by Iran, Armenia and Turkey. The alleged attack occurred on Thursday, March 5, 2026, and involved at least two drones, according to Azerbaijani officials.
Details of the Alleged Attack
One drone reportedly struck a terminal building at Nakhchivan International Airport, injuring two people. Another drone crashed near a school building in the village of Shekerabad. Azerbaijan has temporarily closed its southern airspace for 12 hours following the incident, and President Ilham Aliyev has warned of potential retaliation The Guardian.
Iran’s Response
As of Thursday afternoon, Iran has denied responsibility for the attack, according to the Associated Press CNBC.
Evidence and Verification
Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned Iran’s ambassador, Mojtaba Dermichilu, to demand clarification and assurances against future incidents. Videos circulating on social media purportedly show the attack on Nakhchivan International Airport. VG, a Norwegian news outlet, has location-verified two of these videos using Google Maps and confirmed their authenticity through AI detectors The Guardian.
Regional Context
The incident raises questions about Iran’s intentions, particularly given Azerbaijan’s neutral stance in regional conflicts. Following the recent death of Iran’s supreme leader, President Aliyev personally visited the Iranian embassy in Baku to express condolences, signaling a desire to avoid confrontation The Guardian.
Iran’s Drone Capabilities
Iran has become a significant player in drone warfare, utilizing low-cost drones like the Shahed-136. These drones, sometimes referred to as “kamikaze” drones or “the poor man’s cruise missile,” are relatively cheap and straightforward to produce, allowing Iran and its allies to impose disproportionate costs on adversaries CNBC. Russia has also extensively used Shahed-136 drones in its invasion of Ukraine, demonstrating their battlefield effectiveness. These drones can overwhelm air defenses, as interceptors can cost millions of dollars each CNBC.
Iran’s drone warfare campaign is designed to drive up defense costs for the U.S. And its allies, creating political pressure and potentially prolonging conflicts Fox News.