Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan — Around midday on March 5, 2026, Iranian launched unmanned aerial vehicles struck the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, an Azerbaijani exclave bordering Iran, causing damage to infrastructure and injuring civilians, officials confirmed.
According to a statement from the Azerbaijan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, drones launched from Iranian territory hit Nakhchivan International Airport’s terminal building and landed near a school in the village of Şekerabad, resulting in damage and injuries to two civilians. The ministry condemned the attacks as a violation of international law and called for urgent explanations from Tehran.
Azerbaijan’s government summoned the Iranian ambassador to convey its protest, demanding clarification and measures to prevent future attacks. Officials emphasized that Azerbaijan reserves the right to take appropriate response actions to safeguard its sovereignty and protect civilians.
Damage from the strikes included harm to the airport’s terminal and runway, prompting emergency responders to secure the area. Residents reported black smoke rising near the airport shortly after the explosions, and authorities have launched investigations into the scope and causes of the attacks.
The incident marks a significant spillover of the broader regional conflict centered on Iran’s war with the United States and Israel, extending hostilities into the South Caucasus and drawing condemnation from neighboring countries and international observers. Experts warn that attacks on civilian infrastructure, including airports and schools, could further destabilize the region and prompt diplomatic or military responses.
Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry reiterated its call for Iran to provide a clear explanation and to take immediate steps to ensure such incidents do not recur, while monitoring developments closely as tensions remain high.
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