Concerns are mounting about conflict with Iran spreading outside the Middle East and developing into a protracted, widespread war following an apparent Iranian attack on Azerbaijan.
Overnight, a drone attack from Tehran hit an airport in Nakhchivan, injuring four civilians and sparking threats of retaliation from the Azerbaijani government.
“Those responsible must be brought to justice without delay,” President Ilham Aliyev said.
“The Iranian side must provide an official explanation to Azerbaijan, issue an apology, and ensure that the perpetrators are held criminally accountable.”
The strike was the first time the conflict has spread into the Caucuses, but not the only attack outside the Middle East.
On Monday, a UK military base in Cyprus was struck by a drone, while on Wednesday night, NATO air defences shot down an Iranian missile over Turkish airspace.
A strike against a NATO member like Turkey can, theoretically, trigger the treaty’s Article 5, under which an attack on one nation is considered an attack against all members of the alliance, and compels allies to respond – although there has been no suggestion the clause will be invoked in response to this week’s incidents.
However, the Australian government has expressed its concerns about Iran’s widening attacks in response to Israel and the United States’ air strikes, which started on Saturday.
“The government is very concerned that the conflict is spreading,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong said yesterday.
“What we saw… is Iran engaging in a strike on Turkey. Turkey is a NATO member.
“This now makes it 11 countries Iran has sought to strike since this conflict began. So we are deeply concerned about this conflict spreading.”
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry said an Iranian drone crashed near the airport in Nakhchivan, and another one hit near a school.
The Defence Ministry said four drones were fired by Iran toward Nakhchivan, and while one was disabled by Azerbaijani forces, the others targeted civilian facilities – including a school where classes were under way.
It was unclear if it was deliberate or an accident.
The country’s Prosecutor General’s office said four people were injured.
Aliyev accused Iran of carrying out “a groundless act of terror and aggression”, and said his military has been told to prepare and implement retaliatory measures.
He said Azerbaijan’s military has been instructed “to prepare and implement retaliatory measures”.
The Defence Ministry vowed Iran’s “attacks will not go unanswered”, adding it was preparing the “necessary response” to protect “the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country, ensure the safety of civilians and civilian infrastructure”.
It didn’t elaborate.
Aliyev stressed Azerbaijan “is not participating in operations against Iran – neither previously nor this time – and will not do so”.
He added: “We have neither interest in conducting any operations against neighbouring countries, nor does our policy allow it”.
The Foreign Ministry said Iran’s “actions contradict the norms and principles of international law and contribute to increased tension in the region,” and summoned the Iranian ambassador to lodge a protest.
The Caspian Sea nation halted truck traffic across the nearly 700-kilometre border with Iran.
Iran’s general staff of the armed forces denied it had launched a drone toward Azerbaijan’s territory.
However, the Islamic Republic has also repeatedly denied targeting oil infrastructure and other civilian targets in the war, despite its drone and missile fire hitting those sites.
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