Report: Israel Deploys Forces in Azerbaijan to Strike Iran

Israel reportedly deployed military and intelligence personnel covertly to several countries bordering Iran during the war, establishing a network of secret positions used for surveillance, drone operations, logistical support, and potential rescue missions. Citing four sources familiar with the matter, CNN revealed that one of the most significant troop deployments occurred in Azerbaijan, where Israeli forces operated from various locations near Iran’s northern border. Some positions were located in southern Azerbaijan, relatively close to the Iranian city of Tabriz, which was a target of the war. According to the report, Israeli special operations units, intelligence personnel, and members of Mossad were stationed at the sites, conducting reconnaissance activities and drone-related missions. The presence reportedly gave Israel a vantage point to monitor developments in northern Iran and support military operations during the war. The report said the Azerbaijani sites were part of a broader network of covert facilities operated by Israel across the region. Sources told CNN that additional positions were set up in Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Somaliland. Initially intended as emergency support locations for potential rescue operations, the facilities reportedly evolved into forward positions used for intelligence gathering and logistical support. The deployments reportedly enabled Israeli forces to operate from multiple directions around Iran, extending their reach during the war. One source told CNN that the Azerbaijani operation involved several dozen personnel, including members of Israeli special operations forces, an elite airborne rescue unit, and Mossad agents. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Azerbaijani embassy in Washington rejected the allegations, telling CNN, ‘We strongly reject baseless claims regarding the alleged use of Azerbaijan’s territory for operations against third countries.’ The report also noted that Somaliland gave Israel an additional strategic position that could be used by aircraft operating on long-range missions towards Iran. Israel reportedly became the first country to formally recognise Somaliland in December, while the United Arab Emirates maintains a significant commercial and military presence in the port city of Berbera. In Iraq, the report said Israel had two covert facilities that served logistics and search-and-rescue functions during the ongoing war. Iraqi military authorities previously denied the existence of unauthorised foreign military bases in the country.