Baku Signals It Will Not Tolerate Tehran’s Provocation

President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan on Thursday accused Iran of carrying out a drone attack on the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and said the country’s armed forces had been placed on full combat readiness, a move that could further escalate tensions between the two neighboring states.

Speaking at a meeting of the National Security Council, Mr. Aliyev described the incident as a “terrorist act by Iran” and demanded explanations, an apology and criminal accountability for those responsible.

“Azerbaijan strongly condemns this disgusting terrorist act, and those responsible must be immediately brought to justice,” the president said.

According to Mr. Aliyev, Azerbaijan’s armed forces and other security structures have been placed on full alert and are ready to carry out any operations that may be required.

The president’s remarks come amid rising regional tensions and deepening mistrust between Baku and Tehran, whose relations have deteriorated several times in recent years.

Mr. Aliyev noted that this was not the first serious incident between the two countries. He referred to the armed attack on Azerbaijan’s embassy in Tehran in January 2023, when one member of the diplomatic staff was killed and two others were wounded.

He said that Azerbaijan had repeatedly assured Iran that its territory would not be used for operations against neighboring states, particularly after last year’s clashes. Despite these assurances, he said, Iranian officials and state media continued to make accusations against Azerbaijan.

“Iranian state media conducted a campaign to discredit Azerbaijan and its influence on Azerbaijanis living in Iran,” Mr. Aliyev said, adding that a modern, independent Azerbaijan remains a source of hope for many ethnic Azerbaijanis across the border.

The president emphasized that Baku has neither participated nor intends to participate in any operations against Iran, but said the country is ready to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“We defended our territorial integrity against Armenian occupation, and we are ready to demonstrate strength against any hostile force, including Iran,” he said.

Mr. Aliyev also noted that Azerbaijan had recently expressed condolences to Iran following tragic events there. According to him, Azerbaijan’s foreign minister had discussed the matter with his Iranian counterpart on his instructions, and the president himself visited the Iranian embassy in Baku to sign the book of condolences.

“Disrespect and ingratitude from Iran is a disgrace for them,” he said, adding that Azerbaijan has already begun taking diplomatic steps. Iran’s ambassador has been summoned to the Foreign Ministry and will be handed a note of protest.

Mr. Aliyev also said that earlier in the day Iran’s deputy foreign minister had called Baku to request assistance in evacuating staff from the Iranian embassy in Lebanon, as Iran lacked the means to do so.

“I immediately ordered that assistance be provided and that an aircraft be sent,” he said. “They even offered to pay, but I said there was no need — if we do not help in difficult moments, then when should we?”

“And after all that — a treacherous strike against Nakhchivan,” he added.

Iran’s General Staff later rejected the accusations, saying the drone attack on Nakhchivan had been a provocation orchestrated by Israel in an attempt to drive a wedge between Iran and Azerbaijan.

The competing claims have added uncertainty to the incident and raised doubts about the prospects for a quick diplomatic resolution.

While Baku demands explanations and Tehran denies responsibility, analysts warn that the confrontation could lead to further escalation and new military incidents along the long and sensitive border between the two countries.