U.S. Embassy plot foiled, officials say

Militant Islamists planned to attack the U.S. Embassy and other government buildings in Azerbaijan with stolen military grenades and assault rifles but were thwarted by security forces, officials said.

The National Security Ministry said a group had planned a “large-scale, horrifying terror attack” but did not provide details.

It described the plotters as adherents of the strict Wahhabi interpretation of Sunni Islam.

The State Department said that it had closed its embassy in Baku, the capital, but would probably reopen it soon after tightening security.

Britain’s Foreign Office said that its embassy in Azerbaijan also temporarily suspended services because of what it called a “local security concern.”