Israel Deployed Dozens of Special Units to Azerbaijan, CNN Says, From Sites 100 Kilometers From Iran
Updated
Updated · Haaretz · Jun 5
Israel Deployed Dozens of Special Units to Azerbaijan, CNN Says, From Sites 100 Kilometers From Iran
3 articles · Updated · Haaretz · Jun 5
Summary
Several dozen Israeli commandos, rescue troops and Mossad agents were secretly deployed to southern Azerbaijan during the Iran war, CNN reported, citing four sources familiar with the operation.
Sites about 100 kilometers from Iran's Tabriz were first meant for emergency rescues but were expanded into intelligence and drone hubs, giving Israel a surveillance vantage point over northern Iran.
The Azerbaijan deployment was described as part of a wider covert network spanning the UAE, Iraq and Somaliland; one source said Somaliland offered a potential stopover for Israeli aircraft heading to Iran.
Earlier reports by The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times said Israel also used two outposts in Iraq with U.S. knowledge for special forces, logistics and pilot rescue during the conflict.
Azerbaijan's embassy in Washington rejected claims that its territory was used for operations against third countries, underscoring the sensitivity of Israel's regional footprint.
Israel's secret bases are now exposed across the Middle East. Which nation will be the next flashpoint in this shadow war?
A US carrier fire was hidden and allies were misled. How deep does this web of wartime deception actually go?
The Iran war cost trillions and empowered hardliners. Was assassinating Iran's Supreme Leader a catastrophic miscalculation for the US?
Israel’s Secret Azerbaijan Front: How Covert Operations Shaped the 2026 Iran War and Redrew Middle East Alliances
Overview
During Israel's recent conflict with Iran, Israeli elite military and intelligence units were secretly deployed to Azerbaijan, establishing a covert front near Iran's northern border. Operating from several locations in southern Azerbaijan, these units were positioned about 60 miles from the Iranian city of Tabriz, which Israel targeted during the war. This deployment was part of a broader network of secret sites Israel maintained across the Middle East, allowing it to extend its operational reach deep into Iranian territory. The operation involved special forces, heliborne combat teams, and Mossad personnel, highlighting Israel's sophisticated strategy to counter Iranian threats.