Azerbaijani president: Iran must hold perpetrators criminally liable for drone attacks

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev condemned the recent drone attacks carried out by Iran on the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, emphasizing that the strikes targeted civilian infrastructure and must be addressed by Tehran.

“Today, Iran committed an act of terror against the territory of Azerbaijan, against the state of Azerbaijan. The Iranian state fired unmanned aerial vehicles on the territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic,” said President Ilham Aliyev during the meeting of the Security Council on March 5, Caliber.Az reports via state media.

He added: “The targets of the attack were civilian facilities. The state of Azerbaijan vehemently condemns this ugly act of terror, and those who committed it must be immediately held accountable. Iranian officials must provide an explanation to the Azerbaijani side, an apology must be offered, and those who committed this terrorist act must be held criminally liable.”

Addressing the broader implications of the attack, President Aliyev said: “We will not tolerate this groundless act of terror and aggression committed against Azerbaijan.”

He also stated that Azerbaijan’s military has been instructed to respond: “Our Armed Forces have been instructed to prepare and implement retaliatory measures.”

Reiterating Azerbaijan’s stance on regional operations, the president clarified: “Azerbaijan is not participating in operations against Iran – neither previously nor this time – and will not do so. Because that is our position.”

He further stressed: “We have neither interest in conducting any operations against neighboring countries, nor does our policy allow it.”