President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, commenting on the drone attack launched from Iran against the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, stated: “We will not accept this act of terror, this aggression against Azerbaijan. Instructions have been given to our Armed Forces to prepare and carry out retaliatory actions.”

In his remarks at the meeting of the Security Council convened under his chairmanship following the incident, Aliyev described the attack on civilian facilities in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic as a “terrorist act” and emphasized that Azerbaijan strongly condemns this heinous act of terrorism.

Aliyev stated that those responsible for the attack must be punished immediately, noting: “Iranian side must provide an official explanation to Azerbaijan, issue an apology, and ensure that the perpetrators are held criminally accountable.”

The President also pointed out that Iranian state structures had previously carried out acts of terror against Azerbaijan and Azerbaijanis, recalling the attack on the Azerbaijani Embassy in Tehran. Aliyev noted that Iranian security forces did not intervene for 40 minutes during the attack on the embassy and stated that the incident had been ordered from the highest levels of Iranian state institutions in an attempt to intimidate Azerbaijan.

Aliyev stated that the individual who carried out the attack on the embassy was given the harshest punishment and executed at Azerbaijan’s insistence, adding: “The response will be the same this time. We will not accept this act of terror, this aggression against Azerbaijan. Instructions have been given to our Armed Forces to prepare and carry out retaliatory actions.”

Aliyev also emphasized that Azerbaijan had repeatedly informed Iranian officials that it would not allow Azerbaijani territory to be used against any neighbouring state. He added that media outlets under Iranian state control had conducted a smear campaign against Azerbaijan in an attempt to influence the views of our fellow Azerbaijanis living in Iran.

“They knew very well that an independent Azerbaijan is a place of hope for many Azerbaijanis living in Iran. They attempted to discredit us in the eyes of the Iranian public as well. Azerbaijan has not and will not participate in operations against Iran, neither in the past nor today,” he stated.

“We are ready to demonstrate our strength against all kinds of evil forces.”

Aliyev stressed that Azerbaijan has never pursued an aggressive policy and has acted only to protect its territorial integrity. “Just as we ended the Armenian occupation, we are ready to demonstrate our strength against any evil force, and they should not forget this in Iran” he said.

Recalling that he had visited the Iranian Embassy in Baku to offer condolences following the death of Ali Khamenei, Aliyev stated that the terrorist act carried out against Nakhchivan in return was an example of ingratitude. 

Aliyev noted that no other head of state had visited any Iranian embassies to express condolences and continued:

“Failing to appreciate such a gesture, belittling it, and behaving in such an ungrateful manner brings no honor to anyone. Those who carried out this act of terror against us will regret it. They should not test our strength. Those who did so in the past had their sculls crushed with “Iron Fist,” and today’s events will lead to the same outcome.”

Aliyev stated that a comprehensive action plan must be prepared regarding the incident and that all necessary instructions had already been issued. He also confirmed that the Iranian Ambassador to Baku had been summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a note of protest will be delivered, adding that further diplomatic steps would follow. Necessary instructions regarding border security have also been issued.

Aliyev further noted that earlier that morning the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister had contacted Baku requesting Azerbaijan’s assistance in evacuating Iranian embassy personnel remaining in Lebanon.
“I immediately ordered an aircraft to be dispatched. They even offered to cover the costs, which I declined - if we do not help in times of difficulty, when should we help? Yet they responded by striking Nakhchivan in such a vile and dishonorable manner.

“This stain will never be erased from their ugly and disgraceful faces. Therefore, all necessary measures will be taken through diplomatic channels. The Ministry of Defense, the State Border Service, and all Special Forces units have been placed on first-degree mobilization status and must be ready to carry out any operation.”

The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic had been attacked by drones launched from Iranian territory.

One of the drones crashed near the international airport in Nakhchivan, while another fell near a school building in the village of Shekerabad. The attacks caused damage to the airport building and injured four civilians.

Following the incident, Iran’s Ambassador to Baku, Mojtaba Demirchilou, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and handed a note of protest.

This is issued by the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Malaysia