BAKU, AZERBAJAN (VINnews) – Israeli intelligence officials say Azerbaijani authorities thwarted an Iranian-directed terror plot several weeks ago that targeted the strategic Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan oil pipeline as well as the Israeli embassy, a synagogue in Baku and leaders of the local Jewish community.

The Mossad announced Monday that the operatives, directed from Iran, planned attacks using explosive drones and fragmentation devices that had been smuggled into the country. Azerbaijani security forces arrested the cell members before they could carry out the attacks.

“The members of the operational cell were arrested by the authorities in Azerbaijan with explosive drones and fragmentation explosive devices they had smuggled into the country,” the Mossad said in a statement.

According to the agency, the terror cell conducted extensive surveillance on its targets, including physical observation and photography, all coordinated directly by handlers in Iran.

The plot aimed at both critical energy infrastructure and Jewish and Israeli targets in Azerbaijan, which is home to a significant Jewish community and maintains close ties with Israel.

No further details were released about the timing of the arrests or the identities of those detained. The Mossad described the operation as part of ongoing Iranian efforts to strike Israeli and Jewish targets worldwide through proxy terror networks.