Baku: Azerbaijan has reopened its border crossings with Iran for cargo traffic after a brief suspension following a drone related security incident, officials said on Monday.
Authorities had temporarily halted the movement of trucks and other cargo vehicles after drones struck areas near the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic earlier this month. The region is an Azerbaijani exclave that shares a border with Iran.
According to Azerbaijani officials, several drones crossed into the area and explosions were reported near Nakhchivan International Airport. At least four people were injured in the incident, raising serious security concerns and prompting the government to suspend cargo traffic across the border while investigations were carried out.
The Azerbaijani government said cargo transport by all types of vehicles has now resumed. The reopening allows trucks carrying goods and transit shipments to move again between the two countries and through the region.
The border route is an important trade corridor linking Iran with Azerbaijan and providing a transit path toward Russia and other parts of the Caucasus. The temporary closure had disrupted transport companies and traders who depend on the route for regional trade.
The drone incident also increased diplomatic tensions between the two neighbours. Azerbaijan accused Iran of being responsible for the attack and summoned Iran’s ambassador for an explanation. Iran denied involvement and said it does not target neighbouring countries.
Following the incident, Azerbaijan placed parts of its southern airspace under restrictions and raised security alerts in border regions. Some Azerbaijani diplomatic staff were also evacuated from Iran due to safety concerns.
Despite the tensions, the reopening of cargo traffic indicates that both countries are trying to avoid prolonged disruption to trade and transport links.
The incident comes at a time of rising tensions across the wider Middle East due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, raising concerns that instability could spread beyond the region.