Israel says it foiled Iranian plot to attack BTC , Jewish targets in Azerbaijan

Israel said on Monday it had uncovered an Iranian network that had planned to attack a pipeline carrying crude oil from Azerbaijan to the Mediterranean, as well as Israeli and Jewish targets in Azerbaijan.

In a joint statement, the Mossad and Shin Bet intelligence agencies said they had thwarted a plan by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards to target the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, which runs through Georgia to Turkey, several weeks ago.

The agencies said the cell had also planned attacks on Jewish and Israeli targets in Azerbaijan, including the Israeli embassy and a synagogue in Baku, as well as leaders of the Jewish community.

Iran’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Azerbaijani authorities arrested members of the cell, who were found in possession of explosive drones and fragmentation charges, the statement said.

“To realise their intentions, the cell worked to gather intelligence on targets using various methods, including physical surveillance and photography, all under direct orders from their handlers in Iran,” the statement said.

The statement said the network was led by Rahman Moqadam, identified as head of the IRGC intelligence’s Special Operations Division, known as Unit 4000.

It said Moqadam was killed last month in Israeli air strikes during the air war launched by Israel and the United States against Iran on Feb. 28.