In a striking declaration at the Folk och Försvars conference in Sälen, Sweden, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson accused the Iranian regime of employing organized criminal groups to orchestrate violent crimes within the Scandinavian nation.
He described these actions as part of a broader strategy involving “hybrid attacks and proxy wars” targeting Sweden. “Sweden is not at war. But there is no peace either,” he stated, highlighting the precarious nature of security in the region.
Hybrid Threats and Security Concerns
Prime Minister Kristersson emphasized that true peace requires freedom and the absence of significant conflicts between nations. He warned that those advocating for peace must also be prepared for potential conflict, given the nature of these hybrid threats.
These threats manifest not through traditional military means but through technology, financial resources, disinformation campaigns, and sabotage. The Swedish Security Service has previously reported that Iran has been leveraging criminal networks within Sweden to conduct violent acts against various states and individuals that Iran regards as threats.
In 2024, it was revealed that Tehran had recruited criminals to orchestrate armed attacks on diplomatic missions in both Stockholm and Copenhagen. Notably, in May 2024, two teenagers were arrested following a shooting near a diplomatic facility in Stockholm, with intelligence suggesting they were part of Tehran’s efforts to target foreign interests.
A History of Iranian Malign Activities in Europe
Iran’s use of criminal networks to carry out operations abroad is not a new phenomenon. Over the past several years, Iranian regime agents have increasingly engaged in various forms of malign activities across Europe, including assassination plots, abductions, and surveillance operations. Data compiled on Iranian foreign operations indicates that there have been at least 33 documented plots in Europe since 2018, many involving criminal operatives acting as proxies for the Iranian regime.
Key Incidents
Several notable incidents underscore Iran’s ongoing efforts:
Targeting Dissidents: Iranian operatives have targeted dissidents and journalists critical of the regime across multiple European countries. Instances of surveillance against communities and individuals perceived as threats to Iran’s interests have also been reported.
Attacks on Diplomatic Interests: The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been implicated in orchestrating attacks on foreign diplomats and facilities throughout Europe. These operations often involve local criminal networks to maintain plausible deniability for Tehran.
Escalating Threats: The frequency of these operations has surged recently; from 2021 to 2024 alone, over half of the recorded plots occurred during this period. This includes incidents targeting both Iranian dissidents and foreign diplomatic interests.
International Response
In light of these ongoing threats, Sweden has called for the European Union to classify Iran’s IRGC as a terrorist organization. Prime Minister Kristersson emphasized the need for a unified European response to address the increasing malign activities emanating from Iran.
The Swedish Security Service continues to monitor and thwart planned attacks linked to Iranian operatives, underscoring the serious implications of Iran’s actions on European soil.
The growing concern over Iran regime’s activities highlights a broader geopolitical challenge for Europe, necessitating a strategic reassessment of how to address both nuclear concerns and regional destabilization efforts linked to Tehran’s actions.
As nations grapple with these complex issues, the call for vigilance and cooperation among European states becomes increasingly urgent in countering the multifaceted threats posed by the Iranian regime.
Source » irannewsupdate