Azerbaijan stories

Sep 16, 2026

EU sanctions on Russia-linked individuals at risk as France and Slovakia push to delist oligarchs

All 3,000 EU sanctions against individuals helping Russia's war effort could expire by September 21 if no compromise is reached, as France seeks to lift sanctions on Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov under pressure from Azerbaijan. The dispute coincides with Russia opening new legal challenges over frozen assets and the U.S. expanding sanctions related to deported Ukrainian children.

Sep 16, 20264 sources

Jul 31, 2026

British-Azerbaijani man arrested in Cyprus on suspicion of spying on a UK airbase for Iran's IRGC

Rashad Sultanov, a 44-year-old dual British-Azerbaijani national from London, was arrested in Cyprus on July 17 on suspicion of spying on RAF Akrotiri and passing information to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Britain has requested his extradition in what marks the first British investigation abroad under the National Security Act.

Jul 31, 20269 sources

Jun 5, 2026

Israel secretly deployed special forces to Azerbaijan and other countries during Iran war, sources say

Israel covertly deployed IDF commandos, intelligence personnel, and Mossad operatives to Azerbaijan during Operation Roaring Lion, establishing a forward position near Iran's border. The deployment was part of a broader covert military network across multiple countries in the region.

Jun 5, 20265 sources

Apr 8, 2026

France Releases Two Citizens After Three Years Detention in Iran

French nationals Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris were allowed to leave Iran after spending more than three years in prison on espionage charges, according to President Emmanuel Macron.

Apr 8, 20262 sources