Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov warns Iranian drone strikes risk major regional escalation

Jeyhun Bayramov, Azerbaijan, Iran, Nakhchivan, drone attack, international law, regional stability, Uzbekistan, Bakhtiyor Saidov, UAV strikes

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 5, 2026, 5:37 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from News.Az

Diplomatic Condemnation and Outreach

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has initiated a series of high-level diplomatic consultations following the drone strikes launched from Iranian territory on March 5, 2026. During a telephone conversation with Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov, Bayramov detailed the nature of the Iranian aggression, which targeted Nakhchivan’s civilian infrastructure. Both ministers expressed deep concern over the incident, with Bayramov emphasizing that the strikes constitute a flagrant breach of the fundamental principles of international law and national sovereignty.

Demand for Official Clarification

The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formally requested that the Islamic Republic of Iran provide a comprehensive and official explanation for the drone incursions. Bayramov stressed that Azerbaijan expects Tehran to clarify the exact circumstances that led to the deployment of Arash-2 loitering munitions against the Nakhchivan International Airport and surrounding residential areas. Furthermore, Baku has demanded that Iran take immediate and transparent measures to ensure that no similar "kamikaze" drone attacks occur in the future, warning that a lack of accountability will only further deteriorate bilateral relations.

Regional Stability and Security Concerns

The Foreign Minister’s remarks underscore the growing fear that the Middle East conflict—involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran—is actively spilling over into the South Caucasus. By striking Nakhchivan, a geographically isolated exclave, Iran has effectively expanded the "theatre of war" beyond its immediate borders. Bayramov warned that such actions are not merely local incidents but risk triggering a wider regional escalation that could involve multiple state actors and disrupt vital international transit corridors.