Reports emerged on Thursday, March 5, of an Iranian drone strike targeting the airport in Nakhchivan, the administrative center of Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, according to local residents.
Several other unmanned aerial vehicles reportedly went down in other districts across the region. Reuters, citing a source close to the Azerbaijani government, confirmed that missiles and drones launched from Iran fell in the vicinity of the Nakhchivan airport.
Yashar Bagirsoy, a local resident, told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that schools and universities across the republic have instructed parents to immediately collect their children. Police are currently dispersing crowds, urging citizens to return to their homes and adhere to emergency security protocols.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan has issued a sharp condemnation following drone strikes launched from Iranian territory on Tuesday.
"We strongly condemn the drone attacks carried out from the territory of Iran," the Ministry stated. "This assault on Azerbaijan violates international law and escalates tensions in the region. Azerbaijan reserves the right to take responsive measures."
The diplomatic outcry follows an incident on March 5, 2026, in which two Iranian drones targeted the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. According to reports, one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) struck a terminal at the Nakhchivan International Airport, while a second crashed near a school in the village of Shekarabad.
The strikes resulted in injuries to two civilians and caused significant damage to local infrastructure. In response to the escalation, the Iranian Ambassador has been summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Baku to receive an official note of protest.