Azerbaijan has placed part of its army on high alert and has begun deploying troops and air defense systems along the border with Iran after a series of drone incidents, "Reuters" reports.
The decision comes after a drone attack on the international airport in the enclave of Nakhichevan, located about 10 kilometers from the Iranian border. Civilians were injured in the incident, and Azerbaijani authorities blamed Tehran for the attack.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev condemned the incident as a "terrorist act" and ordered the army to be put on the highest level of combat readiness, warning that the country would take retaliatory measures.
According to reports in regional media, some units have already been deployed along the border with Iran, and reservists have also been put on alert amid growing tensions in the region.
Iran denies being behind the attack and claims that its armed forces did not launch drones into Azerbaijani territory.
The escalation between the two countries is developing against the backdrop of a broader war between the United States, Israel and Iran, which is already beginning to affect countries outside the Middle East and increases the risk of the conflict spreading to the Caucasus.
Analysts warn that tensions between Baku and Tehran could threaten strategic infrastructure in the region, including energy corridors through the Caucasus.