Category: Azer News

Azerbaijan has welcomed the statement by the United States Department of State condemning drone attacks carried out by Iran against Azerbaijani territory and expressing solidarity with the country.

According to AzerNEWS, cited a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani side highly appreciates Washington’s position.

The ministry noted that the statement demonstrates the United States’ support for its partners on the international stage.

It added that the US stance is fully consistent with the spirit and provisions of the Strategic Partnership Charter signed between the governments of Azerbaijan and the United States on 10 February this year.

The ministry also emphasised that many countries have expressed solidarity with Azerbaijan during the current period of heightened tensions, and Baku is grateful for their support.

However, the statement underlined that backing from the United States – described as one of the world’s most powerful nations – carries particular significance.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry concluded by expressing its appreciation to Washington for what it described as a principled position.

Senior Iranian official Ali Larijani has claimed that Iranian forces captured several American soldiers, accusing Washington of attempting to hide the incident.

In a message posted on X on Saturday, Larijani said he had received reports that multiple US troops had been taken prisoner. He alleged that US authorities were instead describing the soldiers as having been killed in action.

‘Despite their futile efforts, the truth cannot remain hidden for long,’ Larijani wrote.

The United States quickly rejected the allegation. A spokesperson for United States Central Command (CENTCOM) told Al Jazeera that no American soldiers had been captured and described the claim as false.

The spokesman said Iran’s statement was another example of what Washington called ‘misleading and deceptive’ narratives from Tehran.

Tensions across the region have intensified since February 28, when the United States and Israel launched large-scale air strikes against Iran. The attacks reportedly killed more than 1,000 people, including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, senior military officials, and civilians.

The conflict has sparked widespread instability in the region, with Tehran carrying out retaliatory strikes against US-linked targets and military facilities.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Lebanon on Saturday that the country would face the ‘full price’ if attacks by Hezbollah persist.

As reported by AzerNEWS, speaking alongside Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, Katz directed his remarks at Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, urging Lebanon to ‘disarm Hezbollah’ or risk retaliatory measures. Katz emphasized that Israel does not seek territorial gains from Lebanon, framing the warning solely as a response to security threats.

The statement comes amid a period of escalating Israeli military actions against Hezbollah, signaling heightened tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border and raising concerns about potential regional instability.

The famous Corgi breed, long associated with the image of the late Queen Elizabeth II, may face an uncertain future in the United Kingdom, AzerNEWS reports.

The reason is a set of new dog-breeding rules currently being discussed in the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The proposed regulations aim to improve animal welfare by limiting the breeding of dogs with physical features that may cause pain or long-term health problems.

According to the draft proposal, breeders could be restricted from producing dogs with traits such as extremely short legs, flat muzzles, or excessive skin folds. Experts say these characteristics can lead to a variety of medical issues.

As many as 67 dog breeds could fall under the new criteria, including the popular Corgi, Dachshund, and Shih Tzu. Veterinarians note that dwarf breeds often suffer from arthritis, joint pain, and spinal problems because of their unique body structure.

Critics of the initiative warn that strict regulations could eventually lead to the decline-or even disappearance-of some beloved traditional breeds in Britain. Supporters, however, argue that the health and quality of life of animals must come first, even if it changes the way certain breeds are developed in the future.

Interestingly, Corgis became globally famous thanks to Queen Elizabeth II, who owned more than 30 of them during her lifetime. The breed even appeared alongside a corgi in the humorous short film shown during the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

According to media reports, if the proposal moves forward, the law would likely take at least five years to be fully implemented, giving breeders time to adapt their practices to the new animal-welfare standards.

Donald Trump, President of the United States, has warned that a ‘very heavy blow’ could soon be delivered to Iran amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

In a post on his Truth Social account, Trump stated that further military actions against Iran were being seriously considered, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the U.S. leader, Iran’s ‘bad behavior’ could lead to the complete destruction of areas that had not yet been targeted, as well as potential casualties among groups linked to Tehran.

Trump also claimed that Iran had apologized to its Middle Eastern neighbors and pledged to stop attacks against them.

‘Iran’s apology came only because of the relentless attacks by the United States and Israel,’ he said.

The U.S. president further argued that Iran had long sought to dominate the region.

‘For the first time in thousands of years, Iran is losing to the surrounding Middle Eastern countries,’ Trump wrote, adding that the country is no longer the dominant power in the region and could remain weakened for decades unless it surrenders or collapses.

President of the Presidential Council of the State of Libya Mohamed Younis al-Menfi made a phone call to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on March 7, AzerNEWS reports.

Mohamed Younis al-Menfi condemned Iran’s air attack on Azerbaijan.

President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude for the phone call and for the solidarity shown.

During the telephone conversation, the sides exchanged views on the prospects for cooperation between Azerbaijan and Libya.

On March 7, Turkmenistan’s Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov held a phone conversation with Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov.

As reported by AzerNEWS, citing Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry, the ministers discussed the situation arising from drone attacks carried out by the Iran against the territory of Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

During the call, Bayramov provided detailed information about the drone attacks, stressing that the strike against Azerbaijan’s territory constitutes a violation of international law and its fundamental principles, and contributes to rising tensions in the region.

He also noted that Azerbaijan has demanded an explanation from Iran regarding the attack within a short period of time.

For his part, Turkmenistan’s foreign minister expressed concern over the current situation.

The two ministers also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.

The US Department of State has released a press statement regarding the recent drone attack by the Islamic Republic of Iran on Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

According to AzerNEWS, the release reads:

The United States strongly condemns the unprovoked drone attack on March 5 by the Iranian regime against the Republic of Azerbaijan, targeting Nakhchivan International Airport and a children’s school, which injured innocent civilians and caused damage to critical civilian infrastructure. These strikes are a flagrant violation of Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and a needless escalation of Iran’s aggression. The United States stands in full solidarity with Azerbaijan against these threats. Attacks on the territory of our partners in the region are unacceptable and will be met with resolute U.S. support for those partners.

Background

Recall that on March 5, drones reportedly launched from Iranian territory struck Nakhchivan International Airport and surrounding areas, including near a school in Shekarabad. Four people were injured, two with barotrauma and two with blunt trauma, all in stable condition.

Following the event, Azerbaijan summoned the Iranian ambassador, issued a formal protest, and called on Tehran to clarify the incidents. However, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi denied targeting neighboring countries and called for an investigation of the events.

The oil tanker Prima oil tanker was struck while attempting to approach the Strait of Hormuz, AzerNEWS reports, citing a statement by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

According to information, the tanker was targeted by an unmanned aerial vehicle after allegedly ignoring repeated warnings regarding the dangers of navigating through the strategic waterway.

The IRGC said the vessel had been warned multiple times about the risks and restrictions related to passage through the Strait of Hormuz but failed to comply.

The incident comes amid rising tensions between Iran and the United States. Earlier, on February 17, the second round of nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran ended without progress. Following the talks, the United States reportedly increased its military presence near Iran, deploying more than 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East.

A third round of talks regarding Iran’s nuclear program was held on February 26 in Geneva between representatives of Iran and the United States. The meeting, held during the administration of Donald Trump, was described as a final opportunity to resolve the situation through diplomatic means.

However, the negotiations failed to produce concrete agreements. Tehran rejected demands to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on the development of its nuclear program.

On February 28, Israel and the United States launched military air strikes against Iran.

The administration of Donald Trump is reportedly refusing to issue refunds for tariffs paid by companies before the duties were ruled illegal, AzerNEWS reports, citing the Financial Times.

In February, the Supreme Court of the United States determined that Trump did not have the authority to impose certain tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. However, the question of whether businesses would be reimbursed for previously paid tariffs has remained unresolved.

Sources familiar with the situation said companies have been submitting documentation to U.S. Customs and Border Protection requesting refunds for the duties they paid. The agency, however, has reportedly rejected those submissions.

Lawyers representing several firms have advised companies to pursue legal action alongside their refund requests. Logistics giant FedEx has become the first major business to file a lawsuit against the administration over the issue.