Azerbaijan’s Aliyev calls Iran drone hits on airport and school 'terror act'
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said Iran carried out a “terror act” against Azerbaijan by launching drones at the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and ordered the armed forces to prepare response measures.
Speaking at a Security Council meeting he chaired, Aliyev said Iranian drones targeted civilian sites including Nakhchivan International Airport, its terminal building and a school.
“A terror act has been committed against the territory of Azerbaijan and against the Azerbaijani state,” he said, adding that Iran must provide an explanation and apologize, and that those responsible must face criminal liability.
Aliyev said Azerbaijan would not take part in any operations against Iran and had previously assured Tehran that its territory would not be used against neighboring states. He added that Azerbaijan’s armed forces had been put on high alert and that diplomatic steps, including summoning Iran’s ambassador, were under way.
He also noted that earlier in the day Azerbaijan had helped evacuate Iranian embassy staff in Lebanon after a request from Tehran, and stressed that Baku would not participate in any operations against Iran.
