Tehran: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday accused Israel of launching a drone attack in Azerbaijan that was blamed on Iran, describing it as an attempt to harm Tehran's relations with its neighbour.

In a phone call with his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov, Araghchi "denied that Iran fired any projectiles" at Azerbaijan. He also condemned "the role of the Israeli regime in such attacks in order to divert public opinion and destroy Iran's good relations with its neighbours", according to a statement from Iran's foreign ministry.

Four people were wounded in the midday drone attack in Azerbaijan's exclave of Nakhichevan near the Iranian border.

After the attacks, Azerbaijan said it was preparing to retaliate following Iranian drone strikes on an airport and near a school.

Authorities said the midday incident involved at least two drones that crossed from Iran into Nakhichevan. The exclave borders Iran and is separated from mainland Azerbaijan by Armenia, according to a statement from Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry.

"One drone fell on the terminal building of Nakhichevan Airport, while another drone fell near a school building in the village of Shekerabad," the ministry said.

The defence ministry in Baku said it was preparing necessary retaliatory measures. The ministry said the steps were aimed at protecting the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and ensuring the safety of civilians and civilian infrastructure.

"These acts of attack will not go unanswered," it added.

AFP