Report: Iran recruits Swedish minors for attacks on Jewish and Israeli targets 

Iran is allegedly exploiting criminal gangs in Sweden to target Israeli and Jewish interests, CNN reported on Monday.

Sweden's Security Service (SÄPO) revealed that at least four attacks or attempted attacks were directed at the Israeli embassy in Stockholm in 2023 and 2024. These incidents included shootings and an attempted bombing, with several of the suspects being minors.

Swedish police and prosecutors suggest that these young individuals are being manipulated by criminal gangs working on behalf of Iranian intelligence units.

In one case, a 15-year-old boy from Vasteras left his home in May 2024, believing he was tasked with a minor errand. He was arrested while carrying a weapon. A day later, a 14-year-old boy fired a semi-automatic pistol near the Israeli embassy. Although the 15-year-old received a juvenile detention sentence, the 14-year-old was not prosecuted due to his age.

Court documents show that both boys had been in contact with other gang members who arranged transportation and issued instructions. Swedish prosecutors state that the suspects were unaware of the masterminds behind the attacks.

In another incident, a 13-year-old boy was arrested for shooting at the offices of Israeli tech company Elbit Systems in Sweden. SÄPO's head of operations, Fredrik Hallstrom, suggested that Iran's involvement in these attacks was an "objective hypothesis."

Previously, SÄPO had accused Iran of hiring gangs to carry out attacks against the Jewish Diaspora, though Tehran has denied these claims. Despite Iran's rejection of the accusations, experts indicated that the teenagers involved were not motivated by antisemitism or the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Investigative crime journalist Diamant Salihu from Swedish public service TV SVT noted that the ongoing gang conflict in Sweden may help explain why these young individuals were involved in such acts.