Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has ordered the complete withdrawal of the country's diplomatic personnel from Iran, as announced by Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov. The decision applies to both the embassy in Tehran and the consulate general in Tabriz, with relevant procedures currently underway, according to official statements.

Bayramov further stated that Iran has promised to "thoroughly investigate" a drone attack on the Nakhchivan region. He noted that diplomatic steps have already been taken regarding the incident, including the submission of a protest note and a phone conversation with his counterpart. The investigation initiated by Iran is part of the overall process, with Azerbaijan's security under the strict control of the state leadership.

On March 5, the Azerbaijani State Border Service reported that Iranian drones had fallen on the territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. According to the agency, one drone landed near an airport terminal, while another fell close to a school building in the village of Shekerabad. Two local residents were injured in the incident, escalating regional tensions.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, in a conversation with Azerbaijani State Border Service head Jeyhun Bayramov, denied reports that Iran had fired projectiles at Nakhchivan and expressed regret over the civilian injuries. However, these denials have led to the firm decision by Azerbaijan, highlighting a further deterioration in diplomatic relations between the two nations amid ongoing security concerns.

Source: www.gazeta.uz