Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister commented on his country's involvement in the strike on Nakhchivan airport

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, speaking live on the AnewZ television channel, denied Tehran's involvement in the drone incident near Nakhchivan International Airport. Notably, the diplomat claimed that he learned about the incident directly from the journalist — allegedly just a few minutes before going on air.

"We do not strike neighboring countries. I heard about this incident from you. I need to examine the source and nature of this information, after which I will be able to comment," Gharibabadi stated.

The Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister emphasized that attacks on neighboring states are not the policy of the Islamic Republic.

"We do not attack or strike neighboring countries unless military bases of our adversaries — namely Israel and the United States of America — are stationed and operating on their territory and are being used to attack Iran," the diplomat noted.

According to Gharibabadi, Tehran has openly stated from the very beginning: if there are military bases in the region that are used to strike Iran and American forces are stationed there, they will become legitimate targets. "This is the policy we have declared," he summarized.

As a reminder, on the afternoon of March 5, drone attacks were carried out on the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic from the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran. One of the drones struck the airport terminal building in Nakhchivan, while another fell near a school building in the village of Shekerabab. The airport building sustained damage, and four people were injured as a result of the incident.

Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the attack, stating that this assault on Azerbaijani territory contradicts the norms and principles of international law and contributes to the escalation of tensions in the region. The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Azerbaijan, Mojtaba Damirchilu, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry of Defense placed full responsibility for the incident on the Islamic Republic of Iran, assuring that such acts of aggression will not go unanswered.