Iran has been actively recruiting members of Swedish criminal gangs, including minors, to serve as proxies in committing acts of violence against Israel and other perceived threats within Sweden, according to a statement released by Sweden’s intelligence agency on Thursday.
This alarming revelation follows a series of incidents targeting Israeli interests in Sweden.
Two weeks prior to the announcement, gunfire was reported outside Israel’s embassy in Stockholm during the night, raising immediate concerns about the security of Israeli diplomatic staff and facilities.
Additionally, three months earlier, Swedish police discovered an unexploded grenade on the grounds of the Israeli compound, indicating a serious escalation in threats against Israeli and Jewish targets in the country.
Sweden’s intelligence agency emphasized that Tehran’s strategy involves leveraging local criminal elements to further its geopolitical agenda, highlighting the ongoing risks to Israeli and Jewish interests, targets, and operations within Sweden.
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This development underscores the increasing complexity and international dimension of security threats faced by both Sweden and Israel.
“The Swedish Security Police notes that the Iranian regime is using criminal networks in Sweden to carry out acts of violence against other states, groups or people in Sweden that it considers a threat.”
“Israeli and Jewish interests, targets and operations in Sweden. Iran has previously used violence in other countries in Europe in a bid to silence critical voices and perceived threats against its regime.”
At a press conference, Daniel Stenling, the head of the counterintelligence service for Sweden’s Security Service (Sapo), provided detailed insights into the growing threat.
“Our assessment is that this is a regional conflict that has spread globally and now also includes Sweden as an arena for this conflict. Very young individuals, even children, can be used to carry out Iranian activities that threaten security in Sweden.”