05.03.2026 18:22
Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev reacted strongly to the Iranian drones striking Nakhchivan Airport. Aliyev stated, "Those scoundrels who carried out this terrorist act against us will regret it. They should not test our strength. Those who wish to test our strength have had their heads broken through the 'Iron Fist'."
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev stated regarding the attack on the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Iran, "We will not accept this act of terrorism against Azerbaijan, this aggression. The Armed Forces have been instructed to prepare and carry out retaliatory actions."
ALIYEV'S STRONG WORDS
According to a statement from the Azerbaijan Presidency, the National Security Council convened under Aliyev's chairmanship. In his speech at the meeting, Aliyev described Iran's attack on civilian facilities in Nakhchivan as a "terrorist act" and emphasized that they strongly condemn this ugly act of terrorism.
Aliyev stated that those who carried out the attack should be punished immediately, saying, "Iranian officials must explain to Azerbaijan, apologize, and hold the perpetrators accountable."
Pointing out that the Iranian state has previously carried out terrorist acts against Azerbaijan and Azerbaijanis, Aliyev recalled the attack on Azerbaijan's embassy in Tehran.
Reminding that Iranian security forces did not intervene for 40 minutes during the attack on the embassy, Aliyev said that the attack was ordered from the highest levels of the Iranian state institutions to intimidate Azerbaijan.
"I GAVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR RETALIATORY ACTION"
Aliyev stated that the person who attacked the embassy was executed with the heaviest penalty at Azerbaijan's insistence, saying, "This time the response will be the same. We will not accept this act of terrorism against Azerbaijan, this aggression. The Armed Forces have been instructed to prepare and carry out retaliatory actions."
Aliyev reported that they have repeatedly conveyed to Iranian officials that they will not allow Azerbaijan's territory to be used against Iran, saying, "Media sources controlled by the Iranian state were conducting a vile smear campaign to defame Azerbaijan and change the opinions of our compatriots living in Iran. Because they knew very well that independent Azerbaijan is a place of hope for many Azerbaijanis living in Iran. They aimed to discredit us in front of the Iranian public as well. Azerbaijan is not involved in operations against Iran, neither then nor now, and it will not be."
"WE ARE READY TO SHOW OUR STRENGTH AGAINST ANY EVIL FORCE"
Aliyev expressed that his country has never favored aggressive policies and that they only protect their territorial integrity, stating, "Just as we ended the Armenian occupation, we are ready to show our strength against any evil force, and they should not forget this in Iran."
Recalling that he went to the Iranian embassy in Baku to express condolences upon the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Aliyev emphasized that the terrorist act carried out by Iran is an example of ingratitude.
"THOSE WHO CARRIED OUT THIS TERRORIST ACT WILL REGRET"
Aliyev pointed out that no other head of state has visited any Iranian embassy except for himself, and continued:
"Not appreciating this, belittling it, and showing themselves as low and ungrateful brings no honor to anyone. These dishonorable people, those who carried out this act of terrorism against us, will regret it. They should not test our strength. Those who want to test our strength have had their heads broken through the 'Iron Fist'. Today's incident will yield the same result. Therefore, an action plan regarding this issue must be prepared. All instructions have been given. The Iranian ambassador to Baku has been summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and a note of protest has been issued. Other diplomatic steps will also be taken. Necessary instructions regarding the border have been given."
"THIS STAIN WILL NOT BE WASHED AWAY FROM THEIR UGLY FACE"
This morning, Aliyev noted that the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister called Baku to request assistance from Azerbaijan for the evacuation of Iranian diplomats stranded in Lebanon, and stated:
"I immediately instructed to send a plane. They said they were ready to pay for it. I told them that there was no need for payment, as we would not help when it was difficult. Was the response to all this going to be a cowardly, dishonorable blow to Nakhchivan? This stain will never be washed away from their ugly and disgusting face. Therefore, all necessary measures will be taken through diplomatic channels. The Ministry of Defense, the State Border Service, and all other special units have been put on high alert and must be ready to carry out any operations."
The Azerbaijan Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that attacks were carried out on the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic from Iranian territory using UAVs.
One of the UAVs fell near the international airport in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, while the other fell near the school building in the Shekerabad village. The attacks damaged the airport building and injured four civilians.
The Iranian ambassador to Baku, Mucteba Dermicioglu, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a note of protest was issued.