Covert Operations Denied
Azerbaijan Denies US Media Reports of Israeli Military Operations Near Iranian Border
Anonymous
Multiple US media reports, including CNN, allege that Israel deployed elite military and intelligence teams on Azerbaijani territory during its conflict with Iran, as part of a broader covert regional network. The reporting says the units operated from several locations in southern Azerbaijan near the Iranian border, with some sites reportedly close to the Iranian city of Tabriz, and that their work included intelligence collection and support for drone-related operations. CNN also claims that similar or related Israeli support positions existed in other regional locations such as Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Somaliland, with some starting as rescue or evacuation sites before expanding into broader military functions. Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry and its embassy have denied the allegations, calling them groundless and stating that Azerbaijan has never provided its territory for actions against third countries, while saying it could consider an investigation if evidence is provided. Overall, the accounts remain contested, with no publicly presented independent proof confirmed by either Israel or Azerbaijan.
Key Points
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CNN’s reporting (via another outlet) says the alleged Azerbaijani-border postings included “dozens” of special-forces personnel and possibly Mossad agents, stationed at posts about 96 km from Iran’s Tabriz; it adds that they began as “rescue functions” before expanding into intelligence collection and drone-related support (all based on undisclosed sources).
2
CNN also cited an alleged March operation targeting Rahman Mohaddam, described as a high-ranking Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) official, which CNN sources said may have been linked to the intelligence/support network; the reports emphasize it was not officially confirmed by any side.
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Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry spokesperson told Euronews it “categorically” rejects the claims and said Azerbaijan has “never provided its territory for any malign actions against any third country, including Iran”; she also argued Azerbaijan’s ties with Israel are “good in multi-sector areas and multi-vector areas,” alongside “multiple areas of cooperation” with Iran.
4
CNN’s investigation (as summarized by another outlet) links the allegations to Israel–Azerbaijan relationship dynamics, stating that Azerbaijan historically has been a close defense/intelligence partner and that Israel has considered Azerbaijan a “strategic partner” amid its confrontation with Iran (based on sources cited by CNN).
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A separate report expanding on CNN’s claims says Israel’s alleged regional footprint included not just bases in the UAE and Iraq but also Somaliland, describing it as a “waypoint” for long-range strikes and noting Israel’s December recognition of Somaliland and the UAE’s significant commercial and military stake in the port city of Berbera.
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