Azerbaijan Withdraws Diplomats from Iran

Azerbaijan has begun withdrawing its diplomats from Iran following a drone attack that crossed the border and injured civilians in the Nakhchivan region, officials said Friday.

Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov explained that the decision was taken to ensure the safety of Azerbaijani personnel. Baku is evacuating staff from its embassy in Tehran and its consulate general in Tabriz.

The move comes a day after Azerbaijan reported that Iranian drones crossed its border and struck the Nakhchivan exclave, causing injuries and damage to civilian infrastructure.

According to Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry, the country is preparing appropriate response measures to protect its territory, sovereignty and civilian facilities. Officials warned that the attacks would not go unanswered.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan said at least two drones were launched from Iran and entered the autonomous region of Nakhchivan, which is separated from the rest of Azerbaijan by Armenia.

One drone reportedly crashed into a building at Nakhchivan Airport, while another fell near a school in the village of Shakarabad. The strikes damaged airport facilities and injured civilians.

Azerbaijan summoned Iran’s ambassador in Baku to protest the incident, describing it as a violation of international law and warning that such actions risk escalating tensions in the region.

Officials said Azerbaijan reserves the right to take appropriate countermeasures in response to the attack.