Israel Deploys Elite Forces to Azerbaijan in Secret Iran War Network
Israel established a covert network across the Middle East including elite forces in Azerbaijan near Iran's border, facilities in Iraq and the UAE, and a position in Somaliland, CNN reported.
As Breitbart News reports, Israeli personnel operated from multiple locations in southern Azerbaijan, including positions approximately 60 miles from the Iranian city of Tabriz, which was later targeted during Israel’s operations against the regime.
The deployment reportedly included special operations forces, elite air force rescue unit members, and Mossad operatives who conducted intelligence-gathering and drone missions. The positions provided Israel with a critical vantage point for monitoring military activity inside northern Iran.
Four sources familiar with the matter told CNN that the Azerbaijan deployment was part of a broader regional network of covert Israeli positions established during the campaign against Iran. The network reportedly included facilities in Iraq, air-defense deployments in the United Arab Emirates, and a position in Somaliland capable of supporting long-range Israeli air operations connected to Iran.
While initially intended as emergency rescue locations for downed Israeli aircraft, the positions later evolved into intelligence and operational hubs supporting Israel’s broader campaign, according to the report cited by Breitbart News.
Azerbaijan’s embassy in Washington firmly rejected the allegations, stating to CNN that it rejects unfounded claims regarding alleged use of Azerbaijani territory for operations against third countries.
Neither the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office nor the Israel Defense Forces provided comment on the report.
Israeli preparations in Azerbaijan reportedly began weeks before the opening phase of operations against Iran. Two sources told the outlet that Israel launched a covert mission along the Azerbaijan-Iran border in January as anti-regime protests peaked across the Islamic Republic and Tehran moved to suppress demonstrators.
The January mission reportedly involved installing intelligence-gathering equipment and surveillance systems capable of monitoring Iranian military activity and providing early warning of missile launches. Israeli leaders believed ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran would fail and proceeded with preparations using stealth aircraft and special forces.
One of the most significant operations launched from Azerbaijan was reportedly the March 4 killing of Rahman Moghaddam, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ special intelligence operations division.
Moghaddam oversaw the recruitment and training of operatives tasked with gathering intelligence on Israeli political leaders, security officials, military installations, ports, and Israeli-linked maritime assets worldwide. Israeli officials previously accused him of involvement in efforts to target President Donald Trump.
One day after Moghaddam’s killing, drones struck Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan exclave, damaging an airport terminal and wounding several people. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev blamed Iran and described the incident as an act of terror, while Tehran denied responsibility.
Two days later, Azerbaijan’s State Security Service announced it had foiled an alleged IRGC plot targeting critical infrastructure and Israeli and Jewish sites inside the country. Israel later acknowledged the operation was conducted jointly by the Mossad, the IDF, and the Shin Bet security service.
The report highlighted Israel’s longstanding strategic relationship with Azerbaijan, which shares a lengthy border with Iran and has become one of Jerusalem’s closest regional partners.
Azerbaijan supplies Israel with a significant portion of its oil imports, while Israel has become one of Baku’s leading defense suppliers. Israeli-made systems played a prominent role in Azerbaijan’s conflicts with Armenia, and Azerbaijan became the first foreign country to purchase Israel’s Iron Dome air-defense system in 2016.
The relationship has also expanded diplomatically. Less than two weeks after the reported border operation, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar traveled to Baku for meetings with Aliyev and other senior Azerbaijani officials.
According to Breitbart News, Azerbaijan was only one component of a wider Israeli regional infrastructure established during the conflict. Israel also maintained covert facilities in Iraq that provided logistical support and search-and-rescue capabilities for operations connected to Iran. Last month, both the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times reported that Israel had operated secret positions inside Iraq during the campaign.
With information from Breitbart News
