In an exclusive interview with AnewZ, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the Islamic Republic is "not targeting neighbouring countries," amid reports of drone strikes on Nakhchivan International Airport on Thursday (5 March).
Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister, Jeyhun Bayramov, spoke about the drone attacks on Nakhchivan with his Uzbek counterpart, Bakhtiyor Saidov.
Bayramov described the strikes as a violation of international law that heightens regional tensions and called on Iran to provide clear explanations and take urgent steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The drones launched from Iranian territory that struck Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic injured 4 civillians, according to Sahib Abuzarov, Head of the Emergency Medical Department of the hospital of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
Gharibabadi, who was speaking to AnewZ when reports of the strike broke, reiterated Iran’s policy is to strike only military bases of its adversaries, including the United States and the "Zionist regimes."
“Because we have announced it from the beginning that, if there are any military bases in the region and they are used to attack Iran, we will target them. So that was the policy that we have,” Gharibabadi said.
The Deputy Foreign Minister stated that the incident must be investigated.
Drones were launched from Iranian territory struck Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
According to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, the incidents occurred at around midday when drones entered the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic from Iranian territory. One drone struck the terminal building of Nakhchivan International Airport, while another landed near a school in the village of Shakarabad.
Nakhchivan International Airport lies roughly 10 km (6 miles) from the Iranian border. A source close to the Azerbaijani government told Reuters that missiles and drones had been observed flying from the direction of Iran before falling within the airport grounds.
Increasing tension
“We strongly condemn these drone attacks carried out from the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the ministry said, adding that the incident “contradicts the norms and principles of international law and serves to increase tension in the region”.
Azerbaijan demanded that Iran clarify the incident and “take urgent and necessary measures to prevent such cases from recurring”, warning that it “reserves the right to take appropriate retaliatory measures”.
The Iranian ambassador to Azerbaijan, Mujtaba Darmichilu, was summoned to the Foreign Ministry, where a formal note of protest was presented.
Meanwhile, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic’s Ministry of Education said teachers and students from two schools near the airport were evacuated.
“The evacuation was carried out to ensure the safety of the teaching staff and students,” the ministry said.
Millions of mourners are expected to line the streets of Tehran on Monday for the funeral procession of Iran's slain former supreme leader, Ali Khame...
A Russian drone strike has damaged a SOCAR fuel station in southern Ukraine, as both Russia and Ukraine reported new attacks on energy infrastructure ...
Australia and Fiji signed a landmark defence alliance on Monday, committing each country to come to the other's aid if either is attacked. The Ocean o...
More than 100 people were detained in Ankara on Sunday (5 July) after taking part in an anti-NATO protest organised by the Communist Party of Türkiye...
The death toll from Venezuela's devastating twin earthquakes has risen to 3,342, according to the country's information ministry, as rescue teams cont...
Regional economic cooperation took centre stage in Baku as the 28th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank was held alongside a Business Forum. The event brought together government officials, business leaders and experts from across the region.
Governments are tightening restrictions on teenagers’ use of social media amid growing concerns over mental health, online safety and platform design, but questions remain over enforcement and whether bans can meaningfully change behaviour.
Georgia’s only oil refinery will stop using Russian crude oil by September to preserve access to Western markets, its operator has said.
The European Union will provide up to €200 million in grant funding to improve transport, energy and digital links across the South Caucasus, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced during a visit to Baku on Wednesday.
Russia's Defence Ministry has said its forces are clearing the town of Lyman in Donetsk of Ukrainian forces, Moscow's state news agency Tass reported. Meanwhile, Russian attacks killed at least six people across three Ukrainian regions on Friday, regional officials said.
President Donald Trump said Iran is keen to reach a deal with the United States, claiming Washington had paused engagement to allow funeral ceremonies for late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Governments are tightening restrictions on teenagers’ use of social media amid growing concerns over mental health, online safety and platform design, but questions remain over enforcement and whether bans can meaningfully change behaviour.
Thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran on Sunday as Iran held funeral prayers for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and four members of his family on the second day of mass processions. Three of Khamenei's sons attended the ceremony, while his successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, made no public appearance.
Scotland produced a polished seven-try performance to defeat Argentina 47-38 in a high-scoring Nations Championship opener on Saturday.
More than 100 people were detained in Ankara on Sunday (5 July) after taking part in an anti-NATO protest organised by the Communist Party of Türkiye (TKP), according to the party.
Millions of mourners are expected to line the streets of Tehran on Monday for the funeral procession of Iran's slain former supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, as part of a week-long farewell. His son and designated successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, has yet to make a public appearance.
Thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran on Sunday as Iran held funeral prayers for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and four members of his family on the second day of mass processions. Three of Khamenei's sons attended the ceremony, while his successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, made no public appearance.
Regional economic cooperation took centre stage in Baku as the 28th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank was held alongside a Business Forum. The event brought together government officials, business leaders and experts from across the region.
Uzbekistan is seeking to expand export and import cargo transportation through Georgia’s Black Sea port of Poti as part of efforts to diversify trade routes and strengthen regional connectivity, the Ministry of Transport said.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment