Aliyev vows attacks on Azerbaijan ‘will face our Iron Fist’ after Iran drone strike

Aliyev vows attacks on Azerbaijan ‘will face our Iron Fist’ after Iran drone strike

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has ordered the nation’s military to achieve maximum operational preparedness following an attack by Iranian drones on the Nakhchivan International Airport passenger terminal and a rural school, resulting in four civilian injuries. The incident occurred on Thursday, prompting Aliyev to instruct the armed forces to “prepare and implement response measures.” During a Security Council meeting, he emphasized Iran’s need to apologize and explain the strike, stating that “those responsible for this terrorist act must face criminal consequences.” Aliyev also indicated that the attack was not an isolated incident, offering new evidence to suggest Iran’s broader strategy.

The president’s resolve echoes his approach to the December 2024 Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 crash, in which he directly blamed Russia for the downing of the aircraft. He reiterated that “all necessary instructions” have been issued to outline a clear course of action. Shortly after the Security Council session, Azerbaijan suspended cross-border traffic with Iran, signaling a shift in diplomatic relations. Aliyev highlighted a series of past incidents he claims were orchestrated by Tehran against Azerbaijani citizens, stressing the growing tensions between the two nations.

In a notable exchange, Aliyev recounted how an Iranian deputy foreign minister had reached out to Baku, requesting Azerbaijan’s aid in evacuating embassy personnel stranded in Lebanon due to limited resources. “I immediately arranged for assistance and dispatched an aircraft. They even offered to cover the costs,” he noted. “I replied that it wasn’t needed — if we don’t offer help during tough times, when else should we? And in return for all this, to launch such a treacherous and dishonorable attack on Nakhchivan? This mark will forever tarnish their image,” he emphasized.

Iran has denied responsibility for the attack, but the incident has already drawn swift criticism from Turkey, Azerbaijan’s key regional ally. A ministry statement declared, “We strongly condemn the drone attacks carried out today on Azerbaijan,” adding that Ankara “will continue to stand by Azerbaijan, as it always has.” Aliyev clarified that despite the escalating tensions, Azerbaijan remains committed to non-confrontational relations with Iran, stating, “we did not participate and will not participate in any operations against Iran.”