Iran Recruits Teenagers for «Hybrid Warfare» Attacks in Europe, UK: 23 Arrested
Iranian intelligence is recruiting teenagers via criminal networks for «hybrid warfare» attacks in Europe, targeting Jewish sites and US interests. Over 17 attacks have occurred since early March, leading to 23 arrests in the UK. This campaign aims to destabilize US allies and warn against involvement in the conflict, while harming Jewish communities.
Iranian intelligence and Revolutionary Guards are recruiting teenagers through criminal intermediaries to launch «hybrid warfare» attacks in Europe, according to investigators and security officials. A first wave of 17 attacks in early March, 10 days after US and Israel strikes on Iran, targeted Jewish sites in Belgium and the Netherlands, and US banks. A second wave focused on the UK, with arson and attempted arson attacks on synagogues, a Jewish charity, and an Iranian opposition TV network in London.
British police arrested seven people for a planned firebombing, and a teenager pleaded guilty to a synagogue arson in west London. Analysts suggest these attacks are part of an Iranian campaign to destabilize US allies and warn against greater involvement in the conflict, while harming Jewish communities perceived as supportive of Israel. MI5 Director General Ken McCallum noted over 20 Iran-backed plots in the UK in 12 months. In Australia, Iran was blamed for 2025 antisemitic attacks.
European services report Iran uses criminal networks to recruit «disposable» operatives, motivated by small payments and often unaware of their ultimate paymaster. Examples include a former drug dealer recruited via Snapchat for surveillance in Munich for €1,000, and a 17-year-old in Paris recruited via Snapchat to plant a makeshift bomb at a Bank of America branch for €1,000-€1,400. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez directly linked the Paris incident to Iran, citing their use of proxies and criminals for targeted actions against US interests, Jewish communities, or Iranian opposition figures.
The 17-year-old who pleaded guilty to the Kenton United Synagogue arson claimed he didn't know it was a synagogue and had no hate for Jewish people. An accomplice filmed the attack, and footage was released by Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI), a group unknown before March, on channels associated with Iran-backed Iraqi militia. HAYI imagery resembles that of Iran-aligned Iraqi militia. Phillip Smyth, an expert on Shia militia, states this is Iran's strategy from Iraq, Bahrain, and Syria, now used in Europe to cause confusion and attract media attention without casualties.