Azerbaijan Closes Border with Iran Following Drone Incident

The Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers has decided to completely suspend cargo traffic across the state border with Iran. All crossing points, including transit routes for international carriers, have been closed. The official reason for this move was the Iranian drone strikes on the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan on March 5.

The previous day, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev announced the army's full alert and the closure of the airspace over the border with Iran. He also demanded an immediate apology from Iran and punishment for those responsible.

According to the Azerbaijani side, the drones, which came from the Persian Gulf, crashed on the grounds of Nakhchivan Airport and near a school in the village of Shakerabad. Several people were injured in the incident, and the terminal building was also damaged.

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