Azerbaijan: Iran plotted attack on key oil pipeline

Azerbaijan said it had prevented several planned sabotage attacks which, according to its authorities, were being prepared by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Among the targets was the strategic Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline running through Georgia to Turkey.

According to a statement by the Azerbaijani State Security Service, other targets included the Israeli embassy in Baku, the Ashkenazi synagogue and the leader of the so-called Mountain Jews community in Azerbaijan. Iran has not commented on the allegations.

According to the authorities, the investigation found that two Iranian citizens and one Azerbaijani citizen had been instructed by the IRGC to smuggle more than seven kilograms of C-4 explosives into the country. International arrest warrants have been issued for four suspects.

The BTC pipeline is one of the region’s key energy routes. It transports oil from the Caspian Sea through Georgia to the Turkish port of Ceyhan and supplies European markets. Approximately one-third of Israel’s oil imports come from the route. Damage to the pipeline could further increase energy prices on world markets.

(reuters, est)