UN expresses deep concern over drone strike against Azerbaijan

HAMILTON, Canada

The UN on Friday expressed deep concern over an Iranian drone attack targeting Azerbaijani territory.

"The foreign minister of Azerbaijan addressed a letter to the Secretary-General (Antonio Guterres) yesterday, which described a drone strike on Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic," said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric at a news conference.

Noting that the letter is being distributed to the UN General Assembly and Security Council at Azerbaijan's request, Dujarric said: "We remain deeply concerned by this incident, particularly the injuries to civilians and the damage to civilian infrastructure."

"The secretary-general wishes a speedy recovery to the injured," he added.

On Thursday, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said the Nakhchivan exclave was hit by drones launched from Iranian territory, with one striking the terminal building of Nakhchivan International Airport, while another fell near a school building in the village of Shakarabad.

The attacks came as Israel and the US continued their large-scale offensive on Iran since Feb. 28, killing over 1,000 people, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and top military officials.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as many countries, including those that host US military assets.