MIDDLE EAST + SOUTH CAUCASUS MONITORING DESK ISLAMABAD
Unfortunately, the side effects of Israel + US joint attacks initiated by the two on Iran are badly affecting the neighboring countries as well, especially the states that already have disputes and tensions in their past. Example Azerbaijan and Iran. The aggression on Iran is turning into expansion of war like situations between regional neighbors, if not total war, most of which are Muslims.
USA + Israel initiated the aggression on Iran with no justification or provocation and during ongoing negotiations between USA and Iran via Oman in Geneva. Iran engulfed the other countries with its own rationale of hitting their assets there.
Azerbaijan’s security service (DTX) has said it thwarted a multi-pronged terror attack plotted by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including possible strikes against the critical Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline.
The allegations, announced on Friday, came just two days after drones struck the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan, marking a significant regional escalation and the first time the US–Israel war against Iran directly spilled over into the South Caucasus.
The DTX said the plot had been organised by an IRGC sleeper cell, and was also aimed at members of Azerbaijan’s Mountain Jewish community, the Israeli Embassy in Baku, and a synagogue.
At least 10 people have been identified as being connected to the plot, including IRGC intelligence Colonel Ali Asghar Bordbar Sherami, who directly oversaw the operations.
Four individuals — Azerbaijani nationals Tarkhan Tarlan Guliyev, Nijat Zaman Aghayev, Asad Tofiq Abdullayev, and Rashad Farhad Rustamov — have already been tried, convicted, and sentenced to six years and six months in prison.
Three others — Narmina Ramiz Shabanova, Naib Agaismi Ismiyev, and Elvin Bahruz Ahmadov — have been charged with various crimes related to the plot. The DTX said the Azerbaijanis arrested had confessed to the police.
In addition, four Iranian nationals — Yaser Rahim Zandkian, Behnam Sahibali Rustamzada, Hosein Savar Saber Azarundbileh, and Sajjad Moghadam Sati Sofi Evad Sheikhzadeh — have been placed on the wanted list.
President Ilham Aliyev presiding over a security council meeting on 5 March 2026 after the Iranian drone strikes on Nakhchivan. The lingering resentment over these past incidents came out again in the aftermath of the Nakhchivan drone attack, which President Ilham Aliyev described as a ‘terrorist attack’ in a speech on Friday.
He also referenced the 2023 embassy attack, accusing the shooter of ‘acting under the instructions of Iranian special services’ and arguing ‘the attack had been ordered at the highest levels of Iran’s state institutions to intimidate Azerbaijan and pursue malicious intentions against our country’.
The days that have followed the drone attack have seen an inconsistent back and forth as speculation builds about how Aliyev plans to respond.
There has also been unconfirmed reporting from Israel’s state-run broadcaster Kan that Israeli intelligence expects Azerbaijan to ‘join the coalition attacking Iran’.
Azerbaijan has not accepted the explanations of Iran that it was not behind attack in Nakhchivan but most probably it was false flag of Israel to engage Azerbaijan in her war. Iranian leaders including Foreign Minister and President issued statements to satisfy Azerbaijan from Iranian side but it is clearly all in vein. Earlier , Azerbaijan closed embassy in Tehran , Consulate in Tabrez and now a plot of sabotage has been unearthed having (what Azerbaijan side says) Iranian links.
Nadira Tudor filed the report for Euro News ;
Azerbaijan releases footage after foiling Iran-linked plot targeting pipeline and Jewish sites
(https://www.facebook.com/reel/893944330226714)
Video aired by Azerbaijani media shows investigators displaying explosives allegedly recovered during the operation, including blocks of C-4 that officials say were smuggled into the country as part of a planned attack.
Baku has released footage showing explosives seized during a counter-terrorism operation, after authorities said they had foiled a series of Iranian-linked terror plots targeting key infrastructure and Jewish community sites in Azerbaijan.
Video aired by Azerbaijani media shows investigators displaying explosives allegedly recovered during the operation, including blocks of C-4 that officials say were smuggled into the country as part of a planned attack. Authorities say the materials were discovered during a counter-intelligence investigation by Azerbaijan’s State Security Service (SSS).
The SSS said on Friday it had prevented Iranian intelligence agents from carrying out attacks against four targets in the country. According to Azerbaijani media reports, the planned targets included the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Israeli Embassy in Baku, a leader of the country’s Mizrahi Jewish community, and an Ashkenazi synagogue.
“The series of planned terrorist and intelligence operations was orchestrated by Iran’s intelligence service SEPAH, assigning local operatives to conduct surveillance, acquire weapons, and secure transportation,” the SSS said in a statement.
Shehbaz Ilham Aliyev Stress the Need of De-escalation in Middle East
Authorities said explosives had been smuggled into Azerbaijan by Iranian nationals working with local accomplices.Investigators discovered a container near the settlement of Shikhov in Baku’s Sabail district containing more than 7.7 kilogrammes of C-4 explosives. Additional explosive devices were also found in the Garadagh district, including a remote-controlled bomb capable of causing damage within a 250–300 metre radius, officials said.
Following the operation, Azerbaijani authorities detained several suspects. Four individuals were sentenced to six years and six months in prison for their involvement in the plot.Others remain under arrest, for charges including preparation of attempted assassination and illegal possession of explosives and firearms.
Officials identified SEPAH officer Colonel Ali Asgar Bordbar Sherami as one of the main organisers. Several Iranian nationals linked to the operation have been placed on an international wanted list.
Baku’s announcement came a day after Iran launched a drone attack on Azerbaijan’s exclave of Nakhchivan, injuring four civilians and damaging Nakhchivan International Airport and a nearby rural school.
Chairing a Security Council meeting after the incident, President Ilham Aliyev accused Tehran on Thursday of committing an “act of terror” and warned that any further attacks on Azerbaijan “will face our Iron Fist”.
In recent days, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have also announced the dismantling of alleged cells linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, which authorities said were preparing attacks on their territories.
On Saturday morning, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian appeared to take a step towards deescalation, issuing apology of sorts over the strikes that Iran has carried out across the region, and saying a decision had been made to prohibit attacks on neighbouring countries ‘unless those countries launch an attack on us’.
Despite Pezeshkian’s comments, Gulf countries have said Iran’s strikes continued unabated.
Azerbaijan has become a bridge of rescue for the people of 19 countries including Pakistan
