Israel deployed commandos, Mossad agents in Azerbaijan during Iran war: Report

Israel reportedly maintained a covert network of military and intelligence assets around Iran during recent tensions, including a significant deployment in southern Azerbaijan, according to a CNN report citing unnamed sources. Dozens of Israeli commandos, Mossad agents, drone operators, and rescue personnel were stationed near the Iranian border, as close as 97 kilometers from Tabriz, a city targeted by Israeli strikes. Initially positioned as rescue units for downed aircraft, these teams later engaged in intelligence-gathering and drone operations to bolster Israel’s military efforts. One alleged operation linked to the Azerbaijan deployment was the killing of Rahman Moqadam, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) Special Operations Division. Moqadam was reportedly responsible for recruiting operatives, training operatives inside and outside Iran, and overseeing intelligence collection on Israeli targets, including military facilities, ports, and shipping assets. Beyond Azerbaijan, Israel allegedly maintained facilities in Iraq, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Somaliland, forming a network along Iran’s northern, western, and southern borders. Sites in Iraq were reportedly used for logistical support and search-and-rescue operations, while an Iron Dome air defense battery was deployed in the UAE during the conflict. Somaliland, a self-declared state in the Horn of Africa, was viewed as a strategic location for long-range operations targeting Iran. Preparations near the Azerbaijan-Iran border reportedly began months before the conflict, with surveillance systems and listening devices installed to monitor Iranian military movements and missile launches. Azerbaijan strongly denied the allegations, with its Foreign Ministry calling the claims “completely groundless” and insisting no evidence supported them. A spokesperson for the Azerbaijani Embassy in the U.S. stated that the country’s territory was never used for operations against any third country. Iraq also rejected the claims, stating in a March statement that there were no unauthorized bases or forces operating within its borders. Neither Israel nor Azerbaijan has officially confirmed the report’s details, leaving the allegations unverified by official sources.