Drone Strikes in Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Region Trigger Diplomatic Crisis with Iran

On 05/03/2026, drone strikes hit locations in Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, including Nakhchivan International Airport and an area near a school. Azerbaijani authorities reported civilian injuries and stated that the drones had entered the country's territory from the direction of Iran. Azerbaijan condemned the incident as a violation of its sovereignty and demanded an explanation from Tehran. Iranian authorities denied deliberately targeting Azerbaijan, amid heightened regional tensions linked to wider military hostilities in the Middle East. The strikes affected Nakhchivan, an Azerbaijani exclave separated from mainland Azerbaijan and bordering Iran, Armenia, and Turkey. The incident prompted diplomatic protests and renewed concerns about the possibility of regional conflict extending beyond its immediate participants. Azerbaijan called for accountability and measures to prevent further attacks, while Iran disputed responsibility for an intentional strike. The confrontation placed additional pressure on relations between Baku and Tehran, which had previously experienced tensions over border security, regional transport routes, and military cooperation.