Sweden warns of increasing security threats from Iran

Sweden faces an escalating security threat from Iran, which has intensified its intelligence activities and use of criminal networks within the country, the Swedish Security Police (SAPO) warned on Tuesday.

In its annual threat assessment, SAPO highlighted Iran’s efforts to monitor and suppress opposition movements abroad, exploit vulnerabilities within the Iranian diaspora, and acquire sensitive technology to circumvent sanctions.

"Iran's primary objective is to secure and strengthen its regime, closely linked to protecting the country from perceived external threats and circumventing sanctions," SAPO's statement said.

"These priorities influence the security-threatening activities carried out by Iranian security and intelligence services against Sweden."

SAPO reported increased Iranian activities in Sweden over the past year, including efforts to pressure opposition figures and their families.

Iranian intelligence services have reportedly used criminal networks to conduct violent acts targeting Israeli interests and groups perceived as threats.

"The use of criminal actors is not new or unique to Iran but has occurred to a greater extent over the past year, with notably younger actors involved during 2024," SAPO added.

Sweden has also been a target for Iran’s attempts to acquire advanced technology and knowledge to bypass international sanctions. SAPO warned that Iran is actively seeking dual-use products, including those that could support its weapons programs.

"Iran is heavily focused on acquiring knowledge and products for the development of weapons of mass destruction or delivery systems," the report said. "This acquisition spans several industries. For instance, machinery intended for civilian use can also be employed in the development of such weapons."

The warning comes amid heightened tensions between Sweden and Iran. Last month, the Swedish government accused Tehran of using a Shiite Muslim mosque in Stockholm to spy on Sweden and the Iranian diaspora there.

"There is a tangible risk that the security situation can deteriorate further and that can occur in a way that is hard to predict," said Charlotte von Essen, head of the security police.

SAPO’s assessment underscores the growing threat posed by Iranian intelligence activities and foreign influence operations in Sweden, as authorities work to counter hybrid threats from hostile state actors which also include Russia and China.

Last year, the relationship between the two countries reached a diplomatic crisis forcing a prisoner swap of Swedish diplomat Johan Floderus and a second Swedish citizen, Saeed Azizi, for an Iranian convicted in Stockholm of committing war crimes over his part in 1988 mass executions in the Islamic Republic.