Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has accused the Iranian regime of exploiting organized criminal gangs to execute proxy attacks in Sweden. Speaking on January 13 at the Folk och Försvar (People and Defense) conference, Kristersson stated, “Iran is using organized and violent criminal gangs to carry out serious attacks within Sweden.” He characterized these actions as part of a broader strategy of hybrid warfare.
“Sweden is not at war. But there is no peace either,” the Prime Minister remarked, referencing ongoing threats to national security. He emphasized that true peace requires freedom and the absence of conflict, but added, “We and our neighbors are exposed to hybrid attacks, carried out not with robots and soldiers, but with computers, money, disinformation, and the risk of sabotage.”
Kristersson’s statements align with earlier findings by Sweden’s Security Service (Säpo), which in May 2024 reported evidence of the Iranian regime’s involvement in recruiting members of Swedish criminal gangs, including minors, to carry out acts of violence. The agency highlighted Tehran’s use of proxies as part of a broader campaign to advance its geopolitical objectives.
Tehran’s Spy Arrested in Sweden: A Grim Reminder of Rooted Terrorism in Europe#Iran #ProsecuteRaisiNOW
https://t.co/249GnKoyDA— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) September 25, 2021
Kristersson’s remarks come against a backdrop of heightened tensions in the Baltic Sea region. Hybrid threats such as disinformation campaigns, economic sabotage, and cyberattacks have become a growing concern for Scandinavian countries. The Prime Minister warned that these actions signal “hostile intentions” that must be countered with long-term defensive strategies.
Sweden, which has witnessed several cases of undersea cable damage in recent months, has refrained from assigning direct blame for these incidents. However, Kristersson stressed the importance of vigilance, stating, “Those who want peace must be prepared for war.”
The Iranian regime’s involvement in hybrid warfare and proxy attacks has drawn international scrutiny. Tehran has been accused of leveraging criminal networks to destabilize adversaries while maintaining plausible deniability. Analysts view these tactics as part of a larger pattern by Iran to assert influence through unconventional means, including the use of terrorist proxies and criminal elements abroad.
Kristersson’s explicit condemnation of the Iranian regime’s actions marks a significant escalation in Sweden’s stance on the regime’s behavior. His comments signal a growing recognition of the need to address not only Iran’s direct provocations but also its increasingly sophisticated use of proxies to achieve its objectives in Europe.