Suspected Iranian agents deported from Sweden for allegedly targeting Jews

Two Iranians suspected by Swedish police of being agents sent by Tehran were arrested in Stockholm three years ago on suspicion of targeting Jews in the Swedish capital, Sverige Radio reported on Tuesday.

The two, linked to Iran’s military intelligence, were reportedly arrested in April 2021.

The two, identified as Mahdi Ramezani and Fereshteh Sanaeifarid, were allegedly planning to assassinate three Swedish citizens, including Aron Verständig, chairman of Sweden’s Jewish Central Council.

Though their preparations were foiled by Swedish authorities, details of the alleged attack plans have not been revealed.

Authorities did not find solid evidence, nor were they able to reach a definitive conclusion regarding the operatives’ intentions, Verständig told The Jerusalem Post.

The two were deported to Iran in 2022, after they were deemed a serious security threat to Sweden, according to Ekot news.

The case was one of several attempts in recent years by Iran to attack Jews abroad as a way to strike at Israel.

The investigation raised concerns about state-sponsored terrorism from foreign entities on Swedish soil, Swedish media said.

Richard Mühlrad, the president of the Jewish Community of Stockholm, told The Post that despite the threats of rising antisemitism and an attempted terror attack on his community, they still feel supported by Swedish authorities.

“Every day there is something new, we don’t want to panic. The information we have from the police and the government is that everything is okay. We have security outside of our synagogues, and by the Jewish community’s houses. We believe everything is okay and don’t see any big threats, but because of the war right now, things are far more tense,” Mühlrad said.

“There were 1,000 Swedes who wanted to boycott Israel’s ability to participate in the Eurovision [Song Contest]. We’ve seen that we have support from most of the government, but among citizens, we’re running into more and more who dislike Israel and the current situation. Israel receives more blame than Hamas in Sweden.”

Mühlrad added that despite threats, Jewish life continues to thrive in Stockholm.