US Backs Azerbaijan's Silk Way Airlines Amid Regional Tensions
The US Export-Import Bank (EXIM) has approved a $339 million loan to Azerbaijan's Silk Way Airlines for the purchase of Boeing aircraft, despite the airline's reported involvement in weapons transportation. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery by summer 2026, and the EXIM board greenlighted the financial package despite multiple credible media reports linking Silk Way to arms shipments.
Bulgarian investigations have previously revealed that Silk Way allegedly used at least 350 flights with diplomatic clearance to "surreptitiously transport hundreds of tons of weapons" to various war zones between 2014 and 2017. This history did not prevent the American side from approving the substantial loan, raising questions about US strategic priorities in the region.
Growing Israeli-Azerbaijani Military Cooperation
This development comes against the backdrop of intensifying military collaboration between Israel and Azerbaijan. According to reports from the Associated Press, Israel has been a key arms supplier to Azerbaijan, particularly during the 2023 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that saw Azerbaijan secure complete control of the disputed territory.
Middle East Monitor reported that Israel sent "almost 100 flights loaded with weapons to Azerbaijan" during this period, significantly bolstering Baku's military capabilities against Armenian forces in Karabakh. This arms support proved decisive in Azerbaijan's successful military campaign to secure the region.
Strategic Triangle: Israel, Azerbaijan, and Iran
The growing military partnership between Israel and Azerbaijan has raised concerns in Tehran, as both countries share hostility toward Iran. The strategic location of Azerbaijan—sharing a border with Iran—makes it a crucial player in Israel's regional calculations.
According to analysis from The Cradle, the Israeli-Azerbaijani collaboration explicitly includes contingency planning against Iran. This partnership provides Israel with potential staging grounds closer to Iranian territory while Azerbaijan gains access to advanced military technology and international support.
Is War with Iran the Next Objective?
Some regional analysts suggest that Israel's military support for Azerbaijan in securing Karabakh might be part of a larger strategy aimed at preparing Baku for potential conflict with Iran. Reports from the Geghard Strategic Analysis Foundation indicate growing concerns that Azerbaijan could become a forward operating base for Israeli operations against Iran.
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has launched a grassroots campaign urging the US Export-Import Bank to reject financing for Boeing sales to Azerbaijan's Silk Way Airlines, citing these regional security concerns. They argue that such financial support effectively strengthens a key logistical component of Azerbaijan's military capabilities.
Analysis: Complex Motivations and Uncertain Outcomes
While the evidence suggests deepening military ties between Israel and Azerbaijan with potential implications for Iran, definitive conclusions about war preparations remain speculative. The $339 million EXIM loan approval for an airline previously linked to arms transportation does, however, carry significant implications, indicating continued Western investment in Azerbaijan's strategic capabilities despite these concerns.
Military experts note that the relationship is driven by factors beyond Iran, including energy security, arms sales opportunities, and Azerbaijan's strategic location in the South Caucasus. Whether these developments signal preparation for conflict or merely a continuation of existing strategic partnerships remains the critical question for regional stability in 2025.