Azerbaijan reopens Iran border to cargo traffic after drone incident, TASS reports

Azerbaijan has reopened its border with Iran to cargo traffic following a recent drone incident that resulted in injuries. The reopening comes after a pair of Iranian drones crossed into Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan exclave, injuring four individuals. The Azerbaijani Defence Ministry stated that these attacks would not go unanswered and indicated that it was investigating the types of drones used in the incident while preparing necessary response measures to protect its territory. The drone strike specifically targeted the passenger terminal of an airport in Nakhchivan, marking a significant escalation as it represents the first spillover of the ongoing Israeli-US conflict into Azerbaijan from Iran. Azerbaijani authorities reported that several additional drones fell in other locations during the incident. In response to the attack, Azerbaijan's foreign ministry confirmed that retaliatory measures were being planned. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi responded to the situation by asserting that Tehran does not target neighboring countries and called for an investigation into the incident. Eyewitness videos captured the moment of the drone attack at the airport, further highlighting the severity of the situation. The incident has raised concerns about the potential for further conflict in the region, as Azerbaijan prepares to address the implications of the drone strikes.