Azerbaijan in the news: Iran hits its territory with drones; Baku warns of retaliation as regional tensions flare. Country: transcontinental, Caspian east, ex-Soviet.
On March 11-12, two oil tankers—the Safesea Vishnu and Zefyros—were attacked in Iraqi waters near Khor Al Zubair, resulting in one crew death and multiple rescues. Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility amid ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran. These attacks, part of at least 16 assaults on commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf since late February, have disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, threatening global oil supply and prices.
On March 5, 2026, Azerbaijan accused Iran of launching drone attacks on its Nakhchivan exclave, damaging an airport and a school, and injuring two civilians. Azerbaijan condemned the strikes as violations of international law and prepared retaliatory measures. Iran denied targeting Azerbaijan. The incident escalates regional tensions amid ongoing conflicts involving Israel, the US, and Iran.
Amid ongoing US-led strikes on Iran, President Trump has publicly supported Iranian Kurdish groups in Iraq to attack Iran. Iran responded with missile and drone strikes in northern Iraq, while US forces target Iranian ships and missile facilities. The conflict has expanded regionally, with multiple countries involved.
The U.S. has used a new, low-cost drone system modeled after Iran's Shahed drones in combat for the first time. This marks a shift towards mass-producing affordable weapons to counter Iranian drone threats amid limited existing defenses. The deployment highlights evolving military tactics and regional security concerns.
The US embassy in Namibia emphasizes strict adherence to visa rules, warning travelers about overstays and document fraud. Meanwhile, the UK issues broad travel warnings for multiple countries, citing safety and legal concerns. Both stories highlight increased scrutiny on international travel and visa compliance as global mobility rises.
Ukraine has secured new security and energy co-operation with Gulf states while continuing to confront Russian strikes and logistical gaps at home, with Zelensky visiting Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan to broaden alliances and showcase Kyiv’s drone and air-defence capabilities.
The veteran Azerbaijani opposition leader, Karimli, has been detained since November in a high-security facility. He has framed his arrest as part of a broader crackdown on dissent, urging Western partners to press the government amid rights concerns. Trials have been delayed, and rights groups report hundreds detained as political prisoners.
The AP reports Trump has said tariffs on EU cars and trucks will rise to 25% this week, while Macron urges stability. EU-US trade talks are set to resume in Paris as the war in the Middle East continues to shape policy, and France pushes Armenia toward Europe amid regional tensions.
Armenia has been expanding its foreign relationships toward the West while maintaining ties with Russia, as a US-mediated TRIPP corridor develops and parliamentary votes set a course for the country’s strategic pivot in the South Caucasus.
The Russian leader has warned ahead of Armenia’s parliamentary election. Moscow is pressing Armenia over exports, security ties, and its EU-aspiring policies, while the U.S. and EU deepen engagement with Yerevan. The carefully calibrated moves come as Russia reels from the Ukraine war and faces Western pressure across its traditional sphere of influence.