Iran says ‘doesn't want to harm ordinary Americans’ as official warns US of ‘uncontrollable consequences’ for civilian attacks

Iran says ceasefire talks are 'irrelevant' while military confrontations continue, focus is on 'defending homeland'

The Iranian foreign minister said on Monday that the country did not want to harm "ordinary Americans" in its ongoing war against the United States and Israel while the parliamentary speaker warned the US of "uncontrollable consequences" in the event of attacks on civilians as the conflict in the Middle East drags on.

In a post on X, Iran’s FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi said: "Iran does not want to harm ordinary Americans who overwhelmingly voted to end involvement in costly foreign wars."

He said the blame for surging gas prices and costlier mortgages in the US "lies squarely with Israel and its dupes in Washington".

Iran does not want to harm ordinary Americans who overwhelmingly voted to end involvement in costly foreign wars.

Blame for surging gas prices, costlier mortgages, and pummeled 401(k)'s lies squarely with Israel and its dupes in Washington. pic.twitter.com/LhKReoa8lZ

— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) March 9, 2026

On the other hand, Speaker of Iranian Parliament Dr Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf issued a stern warning to the US.

"Trump officially announced that he is targeting 'groups of people'. This is an official admission by the terrorist government of America. If they make a mistake later, they should not say that these were military targets.

"Killing people and attacking population centers will have uncontrollable consequences; we will respond recklessly and without mercy."

ترامپ رسما اعلام کرد که «گروه‌های مردم» را به عنوان هدف حمله در نظر می‌گیرد. این اعتراف رسمی دولت تروریست آمریکاست بعدا اگر دست ازپا خطا کردند نگویند اینها اهداف نظامی بودند.

کشتار مردم و حمله به مراکز جمعیتی عواقبی غیرقابل مهار خواهد داشت؛ بی‌ملاحظه و بی‌محابا پاسخ خواهیم داد.

— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) March 9, 2026

Azerbaijan’s Aliyev congratulates Iran’s new supreme leader

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter to Mojtaba Khamenei congratulating him on his appointment as Iran’s Supreme Leader and offering condolences over the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, who was killed in United States airstrikes.

In the message, Aliyev expressed support for the Iranian leadership during what he described as a difficult period for the country.

“Once again, I extend my condolences to you on the tragic passing of your father, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei,” he added.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev sent a letter to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei.https://t.co/S4Z8hPgkiq pic.twitter.com/tM9RBOzTsW

— Ilham Aliyev (@presidentaz) March 9, 2026

Aliyev said, “Relations between Azerbaijan and Iran stem from the will of our peoples, who have historically lived in an atmosphere of good-neighbourliness and friendship,” he said.

The Azerbaijani president expressed hope that both countries would continue working to strengthen bilateral relations.

“I hope that together we will make further efforts to develop interstate relations in a spirit of mutual respect and trust, in accordance with the interests of our peoples,” he said.

Aliyev also wished peace, stability and security for the people of Iran.

Earlier, President Masoud Pezeshkian held a telephone conversation with Aliyev to discuss recent regional developments and bilateral cooperation.

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian made a phone call to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.https://t.co/qY71sujdh9 pic.twitter.com/i7uY5sB1PK

— Ilham Aliyev (@presidentaz) March 8, 2026

During the call, Pezeshkian thanked Aliyev for visiting the Iranian embassy in Azerbaijan to offer condolences following the death of Ali Khamenei and numerous civilians in recent US attacks.

He also expressed appreciation for Azerbaijan’s willingness to provide humanitarian assistance to Iran.

Pezeshkian said that an airstrike incident in Nakhchivan was not linked to Iran and assured that the matter would be investigated.

No 'room for diplomacy' in sight, Iran can go on with war for long time: Iranian adviser

In an exclusive interview to CNN in Tehran, Foreign Policy Advisor to the office of the Supreme Leader Kamal Kharazi earlier said "I don't see any room for diplomacy anymore."

He also said he believed the regime could continue with the war for a long time.

"I don't see any room for diplomacy anymore," Kamal Kharazi, Foreign Policy Advisor to the office of the Supreme Leader, tells @fpleitgenCNN in an exclusive interview in Tehran.

He also said he believes the regime can continue with the war for a long time. pic.twitter.com/tQetUT8lkW

— CNN International PR (@cnnipr) March 9, 2026

‘We have many surprises in store,’ says Iranian FM in a warning to US

As tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, Araghchi mocked US ‘Operation Epic Fury”, warning President Donald Trump that Tehran still had “many surprises” in store.

“Nine days into Operation Epic Mistake, oil prices have doubled while all commodities are skyrocketing. We know the US is plotting against our oil and nuclear sites in hopes of containing huge inflationary shock,” he wrote in a post on X. “Iran is fully prepared. And we, too, have many surprises in store,” he added.

9 days into Operation Epic Mistake, oil prices have doubled while all commodities are skyrocketing. We know the U.S. is plotting against our oil and nuclear sites in hopes of containing huge inflationary shock. Iran is fully prepared.

And we, too, have many surprises in store. pic.twitter.com/UNQu0fVZE2

— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) March 9, 2026

UAE announces deaths of two armed forces personnel

The UAE Ministry of Defence announced that two members of the armed forces were martyred on Monday after a helicopter crashed due to a technical malfunction while carrying out national duty within the country.

In a statement posted on X, the ministry expressed its deepest condolences and sincere sympathies to the families of the deceased, praying that God grants them mercy and gives their families patience and strength.

The UAE Ministry of Defence announces the martyrdom of two members of the Armed Forces following a helicopter crash due to a technical malfunction while performing their national duty in the country today, Monday, March 9, 2026.

The Ministry of Defence extends its deepest… pic.twitter.com/DD1UbISK6i

— وزارة الدفاع |MOD UAE (@modgovae) March 9, 2026

Iran claims Israeli is using civilians as human shield to protect its military officials

Iran’s armed forces are carrying out what they describe as “managed and phased offensive operations” targeting US military personnel and Israeli positions in the Middle Eastern region, according to the Spokesman for the Khatim Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters.

In a statement posted on X, the spokesperson claimed that Iranian units are conducting “step-by-step and calculated” attacks, asserting that each strike is equivalent to multiple coordinated impacts across various locations. “Every shot is equal to 80 strikes at different points,” the spokesperson said, stressing the precision and intensity of the operations.

Spokesman for the Khatim Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters:
—
The managed rate of attacks by the Iranian armed forces is descending upon the hollow hegemony of the enemy with step-by-step and phased offensive actions.

The situation in the region and the occupied territories has… pic.twitter.com/LGiLT3HM7f

— True Promise - الوعد الصادق ✪🇮🇷 (@IRTruePromise) March 9, 2026

Field observations cited in the statement indicated that the Israeli regime is allegedly attempting to use residents of the occupied territories as human shields to protect its military personnel. The spokesperson said civilians in northern and central areas have been confined, complicating military operations.

According to the statement, American military bases across the region are experiencing the “daily impact” of Iranian missiles and drones. The spokesperson warned that Iran’s weapons could be deployed at any hour according to the orders of the Islamic Republic’s armed forces.

“The situation in the region and the occupied territories has become siren after siren following Iran’s intelligent attacks,” the spokesperson said, portraying the operations as a response to what Tehran calls the “hollow hegemony of the enemy.”

While the claims have not been independently verified, the rhetoric signals Tehran’s intention to continue precision strikes against what it considers hostile forces.

New footage showing the launch of two Khorramshahr-4 ballistic missiles towards Tel Aviv. pic.twitter.com/zKBakVH6Pk

— True Promise - الوعد الصادق ✪🇮🇷 (@IRTruePromise) March 9, 2026

NATO intercepts second Iran missile in Turkish airspace: Ankara

Ankara on Monday said a second ballistic missile from Iran was shot down by NATO defence in Turkish airspace, as Washington urged all of its citizens to leave southeast Turkey over security concerns.

NATO confirmed the incident, the second in Turkish airspace in five days, and stressed its readiness "to defend all allies against any threat".

Since the US-Israeli attacks began on February 28, Iran has retaliated with missile and drone strikes across the Middle East in a bid to hit US assets.

So far, Turkey appears to have been spared, despite US troops being stationed at several of its bases, one of which is the Incirlik airbase which lies just outside the southern city of Adana.

Barely an hour later, Turkey's defence ministry confirmed another ballistic missile fired from Iran had been intercepted in Turkish airspace by NATO defence systems in the second such incident in five days.

"A ballistic munition launched from Iran and entering Turkish airspace was neutralised by NATO air and missile defence assets in the eastern Mediterranean," it said in a statement, which was also confirmed by the military alliance.

"NATO has again intercepted a missile heading to Turkiye. NATO stands firm in its readiness to defend all Allies against any threat," spokeswoman Allison Hart said on X, using Turkey's official name.

Incirlik air base is an important NATO facility that has been used by US troops for decades which is located just 10 kilometres outside Adana.

Some fragments from the weaponry fell in open territory in the Gaziantep area, about 200 kilometres east of Adana, causing no injuries, the ministry added.

"At around 11:30am (0830 GMT), a fragment of ballistic munition fell onto an empty area above the TOKI housing estate in the Guneysehir district of Gaziantep," the governor's office said, adding there was no damage.

Images from the scene appeared to show the missile fragment lying on the ground at a building site.

In a post on X, presidential communications chief Burhanettin Duran said Turkey would not hesitate to protect its airspace and border security. "We once again strongly reiterate our warning to all parties, particularly Iran, to refrain from actions that could endanger regional security and put civilians at risk," he wrote.

On March 4, NATO troops intercepted a Turkey-bound ballistic missile launched from Iran, prompting the alliance to strengthen its "ballistic missile defence posture".
Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles said the missile was spotted by Spanish troops manning a Patriot missile battery, who are based at Incirlik.

They had "detected and reported the missile attack", though they were not the ones that shot it down, she said.

EU warns long Mideast war risks 'inflationary shock' to world economy

A long war in the Middle East could unleash a "substantial inflationary shock on the global and European economy", top European Union (EU) official Valdis Dombrovskis said on Monday.

"In a more benign scenario where the conflict is contained within a couple of weeks, one can expect that it would not have major effect on the global and European economy," the EU economy commissioner told reporters.

But he said if it became "more protracted" with continued maritime disruption and attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure, it could result in an "inflationary shock" with higher energy prices.

Meanwhile, EU chiefs said the Union was ready to bolster its maritime operations in the Middle East to protect shipping routes after holding talks with regional leaders.

The EU has been discussing reinforcing its naval mission in the Red Sea after US-Israeli attacks on Iran triggered a broader regional war, causing maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz to all but halt.

European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen "expressed their openness to further tailor and enhance these operations in order to better respond to the situation", a statement read.

Putin offers 'unwavering support' to new Iran supreme leader

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday pledged "unwavering support" to Iran's new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, appointed after his father and predecessor was killed in US-Israeli strikes.

"I would like to reaffirm our unwavering support for Tehran and solidarity with our Iranian friends," Putin said in a message to Khamenei, adding that "Russia has been and will remain a reliable partner" to Iran.

"At a time when Iran is confronting armed aggression, your tenure in this high position will undoubtedly require great courage and dedication," the Russian leader said.

Iran warns attacks on neighbours may be ‘staged’ to sow discord

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei denied that the country had initiated any offensive action against Turkiye, Cyprus, or Azerbaijan, saying "no offensives were initiated from Iranian territory" towards these countries.

He suggested some incidents may have been "staged," warning that "the enemy may stage certain attacks to drive a wedge between us and other countries."

The spokesperson emphasised Iran was "adamant to maintain good and friendly relations" but reserved the right to defend itself if other countries’ territories were used to launch attacks. "Our act of defence cannot be interpreted as an act of hostility towards any of these countries," he said.

Baghaei said ceasefire mediation efforts were "irrelevant" as long as military confrontations continued. "At this particular point, speaking of any matter other than defending our homeland is irrelevant," he added. "We did not initiate or start this war. It is not a war of choice. It is a war of necessity that was imposed on us."

He accused the US of "torpedo[ing]" diplomatic talks before its latest strikes and said US-Israeli actions put all international laws at risk, aiming to fragment Iran and seize its "oil riches."

Iranian Guards carry out offensive against US base in Kuwait

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corpse claims to have carried out an offensive against a US helicopter base in Kuwait with drones and cruise missiles, destroying several targets.

“An offensive operation was carried out against the US, striking the “Al-Udayri Helicopter Base” (Camp Buehring) in Kuwait with various drones and cruise missiles,” IRGC Navy said in a statement posted on its X handle for Operation True Promise launched in response to America’s Epic Fury.

Calling it a “highly significant operation”, the IRGC Navy said it foiled operational plans as it triggered panicked evacuation from the base.

“In this attack, 11 highly important targets at the base were hit by several missiles and drones,” it added. “Among the destroyed targets were the base’s fuel tanks, gas tanks, the American helicopters’ ramp, logistics and support facilities, and the base’s infrastructure installations.”

IRGC Navy:
An offensive operation was carried out against the U.S, striking the “Al-Udayri Helicopter Base” (Camp Buehring) in Kuwait with various drones and cruise missiles.

This highly significant operation, foiled operational plans, and eyewitnesses and informed sources… pic.twitter.com/pBVKw0ATGb

— True Promise - الوعد الصادق ✪🇮🇷 (@IRTruePromise) March 9, 2026

Israel says began 'wide-scale' strikes on Tehran, Isfahan, southern Iran

The Israeli military said it had launched new "wide-scale" strikes on Tehran, Isfahan and southern Iran Monday, shortly after one man was killed in Israel following missile launches from Iran.

"The IDF has just begun a wide-scale wave of strikes against infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime across Tehran, Isfahan, and southern Iran," the military said in a statement.

At least 83 children killed in Lebanon in past 7 days: UNICEF

The UN agency for children, UNICEF, says at least 83 children have been killed and 254 injured in Lebanon since March 2 as the war between Israel and Hezbollah intensified.

“On average, more than 10 children have been killed every day across Lebanon over the past week, with approximately 36 children injured each day,” the statement published on the UNICEF website said on Monday. “In the last 28 months, 329 children have reportedly been killed in Lebanon and 1,632 were injured,” it added.

“These figures are staggering. They are a stark testament to the toll that conflict is taking on children,” the agency said. “Mass displacement across Lebanon has forced nearly 700,000 people – including around 200,000 children – from their homes, adding to the tens of thousands already uprooted from previous escalations.”

The agency called on all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, including schools and shelters, and to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law. “UNICEF urges immediate efforts to de-escalate the situation and prevent further harm to children,” the statement concluded.

US urges citizens to leave southeast Turkey, orders non-essential staff out of Adana consulate

Washington has advised non-essential staff to leave its consulate near the southern Turkish city of Adana near a key NATO base and ordered US citizens to leave "southeast Turkey", the US embassy to Ankara said on Monday.

"On March 9, 2026, the Department of State ordered non-emergency US government employees and US government employee family members to leave Consulate General Adana due to the safety risks," it said on X, referencing a travel advisory saying: "Americans in southeast Turkey are strongly encouraged to depart now".

Southeast Türkiye: The Travel Advisory for Southeast Türkiye has been raised to Level 4 - Do Not Travel. The Travel Advisory for Türkiye remains at Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution.

There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators for Türkiye. However, the area… pic.twitter.com/TUYmDEbFN2

— U.S. Embassy Türkiye (@USEmbTurkiye) March 9, 2026

Thousands gather in Tehran to pledge allegiance to new leader

Thousands of people flocked on Monday to a central square in the Iranian capital to pledge allegiance to the Islamic republic's new leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, AFP journalists said.

The crowds which gathered in Tehran's Enghelab square saw many carrying the Iranian flags and portraits of Mojtaba Khamenei, son of late supreme leader Ali Khamenei who was killed in US and Israeli strikes on February 28.

Iran security chief says election of new leader caused US, Israel 'despair'

Iran's security chief Ali Larijani said on Monday that the election of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father had left Israel and the United States in "despair."

"Your selection by the Assembly of Experts as the leader of the Islamic Republic system has caused the hostile and warmongering enemies to despair," said Larijani in a post on X.

Trump warns Australia against sending back Iranian women’s soccer team

US President Donald Trump has warned Australia against sending Iran’s national women’s football team back to the Islamic Republic.

“Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iran National Woman’s Soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed,” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform on Monday, which was posted by the White House on X.

“Don’t do it, Mr Prime Minister, give ASYLUM. The US will take them if you won’t...," he further wrote addressing Australia's Anthony Albanese.

"Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iran National Woman’s Soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed. Don’t do it, Mr. Prime Minister, give ASYLUM. The U.S. will take them if you won’t..." - @POTUS pic.twitter.com/OTIsmVavJR

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 9, 2026

Iran launches fresh missile barrage after Mojtaba Khamenei takes charge

Iran fired missiles at Israel early Monday in the name of the Islamic Republic's new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who was selected to succeed his slain father despite threats by the United States and Israel to target him next.

Nine days after US-Israeli strikes killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and plunged the Middle East into war, Shia clerics convened to choose the country's third supreme leader since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

JUST IN 🇮🇷🇺🇸: Iran Showcases Missile Launches Towards Israel

Iranian state media released footage of missiles fired toward Israel following the appointment of Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei https://t.co/iKVBb5ibIi pic.twitter.com/xU8RXaZVed

— Ryan Rozbiani (@RyanRozbiani) March 9, 2026

An announcer on state television solemnly read a statement from the 88-member Assembly of Experts next to a picture of the new 56-year-old leader, who bears a striking resemblance to his father.

Mojtaba Khamenei is appointed and introduced as the third leader of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran, based on the decisive vote of the respected representatives of the Assembly of Experts", the statement said.

It said the clerical body "did not hesitate for a minute" in choosing a new leader despite "the brutal aggression of the criminal America and the evil Zionist regime".

State media soon afterwards showed a projectile said to be launched at Israel bearing the slogan, "At Your Command, Sayyid Mojtaba", using an Islamic honorific.

Explosions were also heard early Monday in Qatar, home to a major US air base.

The war came weeks after Iranian security forces crushed nationwide protests against the government, killing thousands. The younger Khamenei is considered a fellow hardliner who will pursue his father's rejection of dissent.

US President Donald Trump had previously dismissed the younger Khamenei as a "lightweight" and insisted Sunday again that he should have a say in appointing a new leader.

"If he doesn't get approval from us, he's not going to last long," he told ABC News before the announcement was made. Israel's military had also warned any successor that "we will not hesitate to target you".

China’s Foreign Ministry has reacted to Iran’s naming of Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader, saying only that it is an internal issue, according to Al Jazeera.

“This is a decision by the Iranian side based on its constitution.”

China’s Foreign Ministry has reacted to Iran’s naming of Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader, saying only that it is an internal issue.

🔴 LIVE updates: https://t.co/fPhcqlSQgD pic.twitter.com/n9N0hVTM5H

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) March 9, 2026

Read: Energy targets hit as war enters second week

As Iran retaliates against its oil-rich Gulf Arab neighbours, the benchmark price for a barrel of crude soared beyond $100 for the first time since Russia's invasion of Ukraine four years ago.

Trump dismissed the price spike, a politically sensitive issue in the United States, as a "small price to pay" for removing the alleged threat of Iran's nuclear programme. But markets in Japan and South Korea, both heavily dependent on energy imports, opened the week sharply lower on Monday.

In a sign that the United States does not expect a quick end to the war, the State Department ordered non-emergency staff to leave Saudi Arabia, days after a drone hit the US embassy.

Few expect major changes under the younger Khamenei, a trained cleric close to the Revolutionary Guards, the ideological arm of the military.

The Guards quickly pledged support for the new leader, who comes into the role with far less experience than his father, who had been president under the first supreme leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

The Guards Corps said in a statement it was "ready for complete obedience and self-sacrifice in carrying out the divine commands" of the younger Khamenei.
Iran was founded on opposition to dynastic monarchies after the toppling of the pro-Western shah in 1979.

Israel struck five oil facilities in and around Tehran early Sunday, killing at least four people and sparking blazes that left the skies filled with acrid smoke.

Tehran's governor told the IRNA news agency that fuel distribution had been "temporarily interrupted" in the capital.

Meanwhile, tourists are stranded in Dubai as war disrupts flights across the Gulf.

Tourists stranded in Dubai as war disrupts flights across the Gulf.

Dubai's main airport, a key global transport hub, has been forced to close off and on as Iran launched missiles and drones at targets across the Gulf leaving many tourists stranded pic.twitter.com/aSdbTZ3PsW

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) March 9, 2026

A dark haze hung over the city of 10 million people, blocking out the sun, and the smell of burning fuel lingered in the air.

Authorities warned the fumes could be toxic and urged citizens to stay indoors, but many windows were blown out by the force of the blasts.

"The air has become unbreathable. I can't even go out to do the daily shopping," said one 35-year-old from Tehran.

"At first, I supported this war. After Khamenei's death, I celebrated with my friends: we drank wine, and we danced.

"But since yesterday... people say there's not even any gasoline left at the gas stations," she said, in a text message to contacts in Europe.

Read More: Trump tells Britain he does not need its help to win Iran war

Trump has sent mixed messages on the war aims. He has demanded "unconditional surrender" but also said that the war is all but won, and has also refused to rule out sending US ground troops.

The US military announced that a service member had died after being wounded in Saudi Arabia, the seventh American combat death in the war.
The Revolutionary Guards warned they had enough supplies to continue their drone and missile war over the Middle East for up to six months.

Israel struck a hotel in central Beirut on Sunday, the first attack in the heart of the Lebanese capital since the country was dragged into the war, with the Shiite movement Hezbollah vowing to avenge Khamenei's death with rocket attacks on Israel.

Israel said it had targeted five commanders of the Revolutionary Guards' international Qods Force, the patron of Hezbollah, as they met at a Beirut hotel.

Lebanon's health ministry said four people died and 10 others were injured in the Beirut strike.

In the east of the country, Hezbollah said its fighters were engaging Israeli forces who landed in 15 helicopters, one of which was hit by fire.

Lebanon's health minister said at least 394 people had been killed in Israeli air strikes since the start of the war, including 83 children and 42 women.

Saudi Arabia said Sunday that two people were killed and 12 wounded as a projectile landed in Al Kharj province.

Iran also fired new missiles at Israel, with several blasts heard over the commercial hub Tel Aviv, and the Magen David Adom emergency services said six people were wounded in central Israel.

Several people were also injured in Bahrain, the interior ministry said, as Iran keeps targeting the small Gulf kingdom that serves as the base of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet.

Bahrain also reported damage to a water desalination plant, while Kuwait -- where the US embassy was earlier hit -- reported that an attack hit fuel tanks at its main airport.

Iran's health ministry said Sunday that at least 1,200 civilians had been killed and around 10,000 wounded -- figures AFP could not independently verify.
On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV prayed "that the roar of the bombs may cease, the weapons may fall silent, and a space for dialogue may open".

Azerbaijan renews trade

Azerbaijan ⁠says it has reopened its border crossings ⁠with Iran for all cargo traffic, according to ⁠Russia’s state-run TASS news agency.

Azerbaijan ⁠says it had reopened its border crossings ⁠with Iran for all cargo traffic, according to ⁠Russia’s state-run TASS news agency.

🔴 LIVE updates: https://t.co/fPhcqlSQgD pic.twitter.com/y8T11XkaoS

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) March 9, 2026

Iran on Thursday rejected accusations from neighbouring Azerbaijan that it had launched drone strikes targeting its territory, while suggesting that Israel may be behind the attacks.

The General Staff of Iran's Armed Forces said that Iranian forces had not launched any drones toward Azerbaijan, emphasising that Iran respected the sovereignty of all nations, particularly neighbouring and Muslim countries, the official news agency IRNA reported.

It added that Israel had a history of carrying out such operations to sow discord among Muslim nations, asserting that investigations indicated the strikes were carried out by Israel to frame Iran.

Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry accused Iran of launching drone attacks on the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic from Iranian territory.

The ministry said the strikes, which occurred around midday, hit the terminal building of Nakhchivan International Airport, injuring two civilians and causing structural damage. Another drone reportedly fell near a school in the village of Shakarabad.