Azerbaijan says it broke up an Iranian-backed plot to attack the U.S. and Israeli embassies in Baku.

Azerbaijan's national security ministry made the announcement Tuesday even though the arrests took place in January. It said 22 Azerbaijan citizens were arrested in connection with the alleged plot, charged with suspicion of plotting attacks.

Wednesday's statement said the suspects appeared to be cooperating with Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards. It also said other Western embassies or buildings were also potential targets.

Word of the arrests follows a two-day trip by Azerbaijan Defense Minister Safar Abiyev to Tehran, where he met Tuesday with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Following the meeting, Mr. Ahmadinejad was quoted by Iranian state-run media as saying “Tehran-Baku ties will never be harmed.”

Abiyev had also assured Tehran that Azerbaijan would not allow its territory to be used to launch an attack on Iran.