Israel’s Covert Operations in Azerbaijan Against Iran
Israel has reportedly dispatched elite military and intelligence personnel to Azerbaijan during a U.S.-Israeli operation aimed at Iran. This initiative is part of a wider network of secret locations set up across the Middle East to aid efforts against the Islamic Republic, according to a report released recently.
CNN highlighted that Israeli forces operated from several points in southern Azerbaijan, particularly near the Iranian border, around 90 miles from Tabriz, which later became a target during Israeli strikes against the regime.
The deployment included special operations units, members of Israel’s elite Air Force Relief Force, and Mossad agents involved in intelligence-gathering and drone missions, offering a critical perspective to monitor military actions within northern Iran.
This Azerbaijani operation is said to be part of a larger network of secret Israeli installations established during the collaborative campaign against Iran, which also includes sites in Iraq, air defense projects in the United Arab Emirates, and a base in Somaliland to bolster long-range air operations against Iran.
Originally, the positions aimed to act as emergency rescue sites in case an Israeli aircraft was downed during conflicts. However, they evolved into more extensive intelligence and operational bases.
The Azerbaijani embassy in Washington has denied these claims, asserting that they “categorically reject” unverified assertions regarding the use of their territory for foreign operations.
Neither the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office nor the Israel Defense Forces have commented on these developments. The report indicates that preparations in Azerbaijan began weeks before the initial phase of the operation against Iran.
In January, Israel initiated a covert effort along the Azerbaijan-Iranian border as protests surged within Iran. The Iranian government responded with efforts to suppress dissent. This mission reportedly involved the installation of intelligence systems to monitor Iranian military activities and detect missile launches early.
Israeli officials believe that ongoing talks between the U.S. and Iran are improbable to yield results, leading them to prepare to deploy stealth aircraft and special forces.
One significant action attributed to Azerbaijan was the assassination of Rahman Moghaddam, a commander in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, on March 4. He was believed to be behind operations focused on gathering intelligence on Israeli leaders and military installations.
The day after Moghaddam’s death, a drone targeted Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan enclave, causing damage and injuries. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev blamed Iran, deeming it a “terrorist act,” while Tehran denied involvement.
Shortly after, Azerbaijan’s State Security Service claimed to have thwarted an alleged plot by the Revolutionary Guards aimed at critical infrastructure in the country. Reports indicate that this operation was a collaborative effort involving Mossad and the Israel Defense Forces.
Israel’s long-standing relationship with Azerbaijan plays a crucial role, as Azerbaijan shares a border with Iran and serves as one of Israel’s closest regional allies.
Azerbaijan largely supplies oil to Israel, and Israeli technology has proven vital in its conflict with Armenia. Notably, Azerbaijan was the first foreign nation to acquire Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system in 2016.
Diplomatic ties have also strengthened, with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar visiting Baku soon after the border operation to meet with Azerbaijani leaders.
Overall, Azerbaijan is part of Israel’s extensive regional infrastructure developed during this conflict. This includes covert bases in Iraq for logistical support and search-and-rescue functions. Recent reports indicate that Israel is also providing defense systems to the UAE to counter threats from Iranian missile and drone attacks.
Simultaneously, Somaliland, recognized by Israel last December, has offered strategic support for long-range Israeli air operations associated with Iran.
These various positions have effectively surrounded Iran’s northern, western, and southern approaches, significantly extending Israel’s operational range and enhancing its intelligence, logistical, and emergency support capabilities during the operation.
