Sweden Warns of Tehran's Connection with Criminal Networks

The Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has admitted that Iran's terror plots across Europe and its involvement with criminal networks in Sweden are “deeply concerning.” 

The ministry said the revelations of plots on Swedish soil and abroad using Swedish crime gangs are being taken "very seriously".

"It is deeply concerning that a foreign power, in this case Iran, has allegedly used criminal networks to commit or instigate crimes in Sweden. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has summoned Iran’s chargé d’affaires to stress how seriously we are taking this information," Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ Press Office told Iran International.

It follows recent reports from the Swedish Security Service (SÄPO), which revealed that Iran-backed terror plots aim to target Iranian dissidents in addition to Sweden's Jewish and Israeli community.

In January, an explosive device, said to be a hand grenade, was found inside the grounds of the Israeli Embassy in Stockholm and destroyed by the Swedish national bomb squad. The suspects were found to be part of a gang known as Foxtrot, hired under the behest of Tehran, according to Israeli intelligence agency Mossad.

In retaliation to the Swedish revelations, Iran summoned Sweden's temporary charge d'affaires last Saturday, denouncing the claims as "baseless" and influenced by Israel.

Last month, Mossad exposed a string of European plots funded by Tehran against Jewish and Israeli targets, including recent terror attacks at the Israeli embassy in Belgium.