Israel has claimed it had uncovered an Iranian network that had allegedly planned to attack a pipeline carrying crude oil from Azerbaijan to the Mediterranean as well as Israeli and Jewish targets in Azerbaijan, Reuters reports.

In a joint statement, the Mossad and Shin Bet intelligence agencies said a plan by Iran’s IRGC to attack the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline through Georgia to Turkiye several weeks ago had been thwarted.

The agencies claimed that 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.

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

It said the cell was led by Rahman Moqadam, who also served as the head of IRGC intelligence’s Special Operations Division and was killed last month during Israeli air strikes.

Opinion

Editorial

Pahalgam aftermath
24 Apr, 2026

Pahalgam aftermath

A YEAR after at least 26 people were killed in a terrorist attack in occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam area, ties ...
Real estate power
24 Apr, 2026

Real estate power

THE latest round of land valuation revisions by the FBR for tax purposes signifies a familiar pattern that ...
Ad astra
Updated 24 Apr, 2026

Ad astra

AMONG the many developments this month that Pakistanis can take pride in is the news that one of their own will soon...
Ceasefire extension
Updated 23 Apr, 2026

Ceasefire extension

THOUGH the US has extended the Iran ceasefire — thanks largely to effective Pakistani diplomacy to prevent sliding...
Climate & livelihoods
23 Apr, 2026

Climate & livelihoods

THE latest ILO report estimates that around 3.3m jobs may have been affected by the 2025 floods — significantly...
Virtual courts
23 Apr, 2026

Virtual courts

THOUGH routine activities in Islamabad have been greatly hindered amidst security preparations for another round of...