European security agencies are investigating a series of coordinated attacks targeting Jewish institutions across the continent, with growing suspicion that Iran-linked networks may be operating through proxies and front organisations.
The incidents—ranging from arson attacks to attempted bombings—are believed to be part of a broader pattern of retaliation linked to the ongoing Iran conflict. While no government has formally attributed responsibility to Tehran, multiple European and U.S. officials have indicated that Iranian operatives may be orchestrating the campaign indirectly, according to reports.
Investigators say suspected agents have been recruiting individuals online to carry out attacks on synagogues, Jewish schools, and businesses associated with Israel. These activities are reportedly being conducted under the banner of a previously unknown group calling itself the Islamic Movement of the Righteous Companions, which has raised concerns among intelligence agencies.
European officials note that the group had not been identified prior to early March, fuelling suspicions that it may be a fabricated front designed to obscure the identities of those directing the operations.
“This reflects a strategy of plausible deniability,” said counterterrorism expert Julian Lanchès of the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism. “It is an effective model, and we can likely expect further incidents.”
Pattern of Coordinated Attacks Emerges
Since early March, nearly a dozen attacks or attempted attacks have been recorded across Western Europe.
In Antwerp, Belgium, a vehicle was set ablaze in a Jewish neighbourhood, while in London, emergency service vehicles linked to a Jewish organisation were targeted in arson incidents. Earlier attacks included firebombings of synagogues and a Jewish school in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Authorities in the Netherlands also reported foiling a potentially major attack on a synagogue in Heemstede after discovering multiple explosive devices. Several suspects have been detained across different countries, with some believed to have been acting under the direction of foreign handlers.
Investigators have also identified a coordinated digital component to the campaign. Videos and messages linked to the attacks have circulated on pro-Iranian social media platforms—sometimes appearing even before the incidents occurred—suggesting centralised planning and direction.
One message circulated in mid-March urged residents of the European Union to distance themselves from “American and Zionist interests,” pointing to a clear ideological motive behind the attacks.
Use of Proxies and Digital Recruitment
Security officials say the emerging pattern aligns with Iran’s established approach to overseas operations, which often relies on proxy actors to maintain deniability.
While Iran has historically used criminal networks and loosely affiliated operatives abroad, officials note that the current campaign appears to involve more structured branding and organised digital recruitment strategies.
Individuals are believed to be recruited through online platforms and encrypted messaging services, then directed to carry out specific acts of violence. The group’s branding and messaging reportedly bear similarities to those associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its affiliates.
However, inconsistencies in the group’s communications—including errors and exaggerated claims—have led analysts to suspect that the organisation may have been hastily assembled to project a coordinated identity.
Escalation Following Leadership Strikes
The suspected campaign follows heightened tensions after recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, including operations targeting senior leadership figures.
In the aftermath, the IRGC issued warnings that its adversaries “will no longer be safe anywhere in the world,” a statement now being closely examined in the context of the attacks in Europe.
European officials have also drawn parallels with tactics employed in other conflicts, including Russian sabotage networks following the invasion of Ukraine, where local recruits were used to carry out operations with limited awareness of broader strategic objectives.
Heightened Security Concerns Across Europe
The impact of the attacks has been immediate, prompting increased security measures across Jewish communities in Europe. Some Israeli diplomatic staff and personnel linked to Jewish organisations have shifted to remote working arrangements amid heightened threat perceptions.
Israel has issued a global advisory warning its citizens of increased risks abroad, cautioning that Iran may intensify efforts to target Israeli and Jewish interests internationally.
Intelligence sources also point to messaging attributed to the IRGC encouraging civilians to assist in identifying potential targets, further amplifying concerns over the scale and intent of the campaign.
Expanding Networks and Global Reach
Security agencies believe the current wave of attacks may be drawing on networks that have been cultivated over several years.
Iran’s Quds Force—the external operations wing of the IRGC—has long been accused of building links with organised crime groups, migrant networks, and militant affiliates across Europe. Officials suspect these networks may have been activated in response to the latest escalation.
Recent arrests have led to the discovery of weapons caches, surveillance material, and lists of potential targets, including Jewish institutions and individuals associated with Israeli organisations.
Similar plots have also been disrupted outside Europe. Authorities in Azerbaijan recently foiled a suspected attack targeting energy infrastructure and Jewish-linked sites, while arrests of Iran-linked operatives have been reported in other regions.
A Multi-Theatre Campaign Under Watch
Taken together, officials say the incidents point to a broader, multi-theatre campaign targeting Israeli, Jewish, and Western interests.
Although definitive attribution remains elusive, the convergence of tactics, messaging, and timing has strengthened suspicions of Iranian involvement.
For now, European security agencies remain on high alert, warning that the threat is ongoing and could escalate further. As experts caution, the use of proxy-driven operations may represent a long-term challenge in countering such threats.
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