Aliyev vows "Iron Fist" retaliation after drone strikes hit Nakhchivan

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

BAKU, AZERBAIJAN — Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has accused Tehran of committing an "act of terror" and ordered the army into full combat readiness following Iranian drone strikes that targeted the Nakhchivan exclave.

The attacks, which hit the passenger terminal of Nakhchivan's international airport and a rural school, injured four civilians and damaged an airport building. The incident has significantly heightened fears that the ongoing conflict could spill over into the South Caucasus region. A few hours after an emergency Security Council meeting, Azerbaijan halted all border crossings with Iran.

"Those who attacked us will regret it"

Chastising Tehran while chairing the Azerbaijani Security Council on Thursday, Aliyev demanded that Iran apologize and explain the incident. Stating that he had shared new information proving the attack was not an isolated event orchestrated by Tehran, Aliyev declared, "Those who committed this act of terror must be subjected to criminal liability".

Announcing that all necessary instructions had been given, the President delivered a stark warning:

"Those who committed this act of terror against us will regret it. They should not test our strength. The heads of those who wanted to test our strength were crushed by the 'Iron Fist'. Today's incident will yield the exact same result."

Conversely, the Iranian military denied targeting Nakhchivan and blamed Israel for the incident that injured the civilians.

A rejected plea for evacuation help

Recalling a series of incidents he claims Iran has previously organized against Azerbaijani citizens, Aliyev stated that Tehran knows Azerbaijan is a "source of hope for many Azerbaijanis living in Iran". This specific phrasing highlighted the growing tensions between the two nations fueled by the Azerbaijani minority in Iran and Baku's strong ties with Israel. Despite the escalation, Aliyev emphasized that "Azerbaijan has not participated and will not participate in any operation against Iran".

In a particularly striking revelation, Aliyev disclosed that the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister called Baku on Thursday morning to request Azerbaijan's help in evacuating Iranian embassy staff trapped in Lebanon. Aliyev noted that he immediately instructed the dispatch of a plane, adding that when Iran offered to pay for it, he refused, saying, "If we do not help in difficult times, when will we?".

Expressing his outrage at the subsequent drone attack, he continued, "In return, attacking Nakhchivan in such a treacherous and dishonorable way? This stain will never be erased from their shameful image".

Ankara stands by Baku

The attack, despite Tehran's denials, also drew a sharp reaction from Turkey, Baku's closest ally in the region. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement strongly condemning the drone attacks on Azerbaijan. The Ministry stressed that Ankara "will continue to stand by Azerbaijan as it always has".

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