Azerbaijan says Iranian warplane violated its airspace, summons Tehran’s ambassador

Azerbaijan summoned Iran’s ambassador to Baku on Saturday after an Iranian warplane allegedly flew close to and crossed the Azerbaijani border.

“On March 11, 2023, a military aircraft belonging to the Islamic Republic of Iran flew continuously along the Azerbaijan-Iran state border from Zangilan district to Bilasuvar district and back from 09:44 to 10:26,” the foreign and defense ministries of Azerbaijan said in a joint statement published on the foreign ministry’s website.

For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.

The statement added that the plane was flying 3-5 km away from the state border, and in some instances, it even crossed the border.

The Azerbaijani foreign ministry summoned Iran’s ambassador to the country to protest against the incident. Although Iranian state media reported the summoning, Tehran is yet to comment on it.

“The flight of a military aircraft for more than half an hour near the liberated territories of Azerbaijan is [a] provocation and unfriendly behavior towards Azerbaijan," the statement read.

“We strongly condemn the Iranian side for such a provocative step, call on them to provide an appropriate explanation and refrain from such provocative steps in the future.”

Read more:

Iran says finalized deal to buy Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets from Russia