Israel secretly deployed military and intelligence personnel to Azerbaijan during its conflict with Iran, according to a CNN report that cited four sources familiar with the matter. The report alleges that the deployment formed part of a wider network of covert sites across the Middle East that supported Israeli operations and expanded its reach into Iranian territory.
According to the report, Israeli personnel were stationed at multiple locations in southern Azerbaijan near the Iranian border. Some of the sites were reportedly located about 60 miles from the Iranian city of Tabriz, which was targeted during the conflict.
Alleged intelligence and drone operations
CNN reported that Israeli special operations units carried out intelligence-gathering missions and drone-related activities from the area. The locations are said to have provided Israel with a strategic vantage point for monitoring developments in northern Iran.
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The report further claimed that the Azerbaijan deployment was part of a broader network of covert facilities spread across the region. Similar positions were allegedly maintained in Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Somaliland.
Initially intended as emergency rescue locations, the sites reportedly evolved into operational hubs supporting intelligence and military activities during the conflict.
According to CNN, the Azerbaijan contingent included several dozen personnel from Israel's special operations forces, elite rescue units and the Mossad intelligence agency.
Azerbaijan rejects allegations
Azerbaijan has denied the claims contained in the report.
Responding to CNN, a spokesperson for the country's embassy in Washington said, āWe firmly reject unfounded claims regarding the alleged use of Azerbaijan's territory for operations against third countries.ā
The report also stated that Somaliland may have served as a stopover point for Israeli aircraft conducting long-range missions. It further alleged that Israel deployed an Iron Dome air defence battery and operating personnel in the UAE during the conflict.
Preparations reportedly began before conflict escalated
According to CNN, Israel began preparations along the Azerbaijan-Iran border several weeks before hostilities intensified. These efforts reportedly included the installation of intelligence-gathering equipment and listening devices designed to monitor Iranian military activity and missile launches.
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The report also linked operations originating from Azerbaijan to the March 4 killing of Rahman Moghaddam, identified as the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' intelligence division. Neither Israel nor Iran has publicly confirmed details of the alleged operation.
Israel and Azerbaijan have long maintained close defence and energy ties, with Azerbaijan supplying a significant share of Israel's oil imports and Israel remaining a major supplier of military equipment to Baku.
