Iranian Drones Strike Azerbaijan Airport as U.S.‑Israeli Airstrikes Continue Across Iran
By NPR and international news staff — March 5, 2026
Baku, Azerbaijan — The Middle East conflict widened sharply on Thursday as Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles crossed into Azerbaijani territory, striking the Nakhchivan region and injuring civilians, even as U.S. and Israeli airstrikes continued to pound targets deep inside Iran.
According to Azerbaijani officials, at least two drones launched from Iranian territory impacted infrastructure in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, an exclave of Azerbaijan that borders Iran. One crashed into the main terminal at Nakhchivan International Airport, causing visible damage, while another struck near a local school. Two civilians were reported injured in the incidents.
The strikes mark one of the first direct cross‑border attacks on Azerbaijan since the broader U.S.–Israeli campaign against Iran began, raising alarm among regional capitals about potential spillover beyond the core battlefield.
Azerbaijani Government Condemns Attack
In an official statement, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry condemned the drone activity as a violation of international law and summoned Iran’s ambassador in Baku to protest the incident. The government reiterated that it reserves the right to take “appropriate retaliatory measures” to protect its territorial integrity.
Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry issued a similar denunciation, emphasizing that the aircraft targeted civilian infrastructure without any military necessity and asserting that such acts “will not go unanswered.”
Broader Conflict Continues Inside Iran
The drone strikes on Azerbaijan came as U.S. and Israeli forces pressed ongoing air operations against Iranian military capabilities. U.S. Central Command and the Israeli military reported new strikes overnight aimed at degrading Iran’s missile launchers, air defense systems and other strategic targets. Isfahan’s air defense network and a ballistic missile launcher near Qom were among reported objectives.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed it struck an American oil tanker in the northern Persian Gulf, though U.S. authorities offered no immediate confirmation. The fighting has also disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil and gas shipping route, compounding international economic anxieties.
The Iranian Health Ministry has reported hundreds of deaths in Iran since the conflict began, including senior figures and children at a school struck in earlier bombardments — underscoring the steep human cost of the war.
Regional Reactions and Global Diplomacy
International concern has grown over the widening geographic footprint of the conflict. China has called for renewed negotiations and announced plans to dispatch a seasoned envoy to the region in a bid to encourage diplomatic engagement.
Meanwhile, Azerbaijan’s proximity to both Iran and Turkey — itself a NATO member and ally of Baku — adds a complex layer to the unfolding crisis. Analysts warn that missteps or further escalation on either side could draw additional regional actors deeper into confrontation.
For now, Azerbaijan has increased diplomatic pressure on Tehran while preparing potential defensive measures, a sign that the war’s shockwaves are being felt far beyond the initial battlefield.
