Azerbaijan has temporarily closed part of its southern airspace after alleging that four Iranian drones crossed its border. According to an official notice issued by Azerbaijani authorities, the closure will last for 12 hours. The decision follows rising tensions between the two neighboring countries over drone-related incidents.

Earlier, Azerbaijan had accused Iran of carrying out drone attacks in the Nakhchivan region, a claim that Tehran has denied. In response, Iran blamed Israel for the alleged strikes, rejecting any involvement in the incident. The exchange of accusations has added to the already strained relations between Baku and Tehran.

The temporary airspace closure indicates heightened security concerns along the Azerbaijan-Iran border, though it remains unclear whether further restrictions or diplomatic measures will follow.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has demanded that Iran issue an apology following a drone attack in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic that left two people injured, according to Al Jazeera. In a statement published on the presidential website, Aliyev said the attack targeted Nakhchivan International Airport, its terminal building, a school, and other civilian sites. He described the incident as a cowardly assault carried out by Iranian state drones and called it a heinous act of terrorism.

Following the attack, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry summoned Iran’s ambassador in Baku to demand accountability. Tehran, however, has denied any involvement in the incident. Aliyev emphasized that those responsible must be brought to justice and held accountable for their actions.

The incident has heightened tensions between the two neighboring countries, with Azerbaijan closing its southern airspace due to concerns over Iranian drone activity.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry has accused Iran of carrying out drone attacks that injured two civilians within Azerbaijani territory. According to the ministry, one drone directly struck the terminal building of an airport in the autonomous Nakhchivan region, while another drone landed near a school building in the village of Shakarabad. The attack caused damage to the airport structure and left two civilians wounded.

Following the incident, Azerbaijan summoned the Iranian ambassador in Baku to formally protest the alleged assault. The ministry stated that a strong protest would be conveyed to the Iranian side, along with an official note of objection. The event marks a new point of tension between the two neighboring countries, both of which have had sensitive relations in recent years.

The Azerbaijani government’s response indicates a diplomatic escalation, though no further details were provided on potential next steps or Iran’s reaction to the allegations.

Azerbaijan has declared that it will never permit its territory or airspace to be used for any attack against neighboring Iran. The statement came from Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on Thursday during a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to a release from Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry. Bayramov expressed concern over the recent rise in regional tensions and emphasized the need for all parties to refrain from actions that could destabilize Iran or its surrounding areas.

He highlighted that Azerbaijan consistently advocates for resolving disputes through dialogue and diplomatic means in accordance with international law and principles. The statement reflects Baku’s cautious stance amid growing geopolitical strains in the region.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran that time was running out to reach a deal over its nuclear program, threatening that any future attack would be even more severe than the previous one on Iranian nuclear facilities in June of the previous year.

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev inaugurated the restored 150-year-old Jiyahly Mosque in Agdam on July 18. The reconstruction, overseen by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, began in 2022 and preserved the mosque’s original architecture using archival materials. The mosque, built between 1868-70 by architect Karbalayi Safikhan Karabakhi, survived decades of neglect after Agdam fell under Armenian control in 1993. Now reopened as a religious and cultural center, the mosque symbolizes Islamic heritage in the region and Azerbaijan’s commitment to preserving its historical monuments.