Israel says it thwarted Iranian plan to attack Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline

Israel on Monday said 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 a plan by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to attack the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline through Georgia to Turkey several weeks ‌ago had been thwarted.

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 in Azerbaijan, the agencies said. Iran's foreign ministry did not immediately reply ⁠to ​a request for comment.

Members ⁠of the cell, who were in possession of explosive drones and fragmentation charges, were arrested by ⁠Azerbaijani authorities. "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.

"This exposure, alongside strenuous intelligence investigation and operational activities on the ground, led ⁠to the ​uncovering of the secret terrorist network that has been established within the IRGC and its chain of command." It said the cell was led ⁠by Rahman Moqadam, who also served as the head of IRGC intelligence's Special Operations ⁠Division, or Unit 4000.

Moqadam ⁠was killed last month during Israeli air strikes, part of an air war waged on Iran by Israel and the ‌United ‌States since February 28.

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