Iran's Alleged Global Hit Squads: A Rising Threat in the West

In recent years, Iran has been accused of intensifying its efforts to target individuals and institutions in Western countries through assassination and kidnapping attempts. Since 2020, authorities have reported at least 33 such incidents allegedly linked to the Islamic Republic, according to a Reuters investigation.

One notable case involves a planned attack on a Jewish center in Athens, Greece. Sayed Fakhar Abbas, a Pakistani national operating from Iran, allegedly recruited Syed Irtaza Haider, a fellow Pakistani living in Greece, to carry out the attack. Greek authorities claim that Abbas directed Haider to target the Chabad of Athens, which houses a Jewish center and kosher restaurant.

"We helped dismantle a terrorist network directed from abroad that intended to inflict human loss."

The alleged plot highlights a trend observed in other cases: the use of non-Iranian operatives to carry out attacks. This tactic is believed to be an attempt to obscure links to Tehran. In Germany, a court recently sentenced a German-Iranian man for planning an arson attack on a synagogue, allegedly on behalf of the Iranian state.

Brett Holmgren, acting director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, stated, "Since 2020, Iran has dramatically intensified lethal plotting against former U.S. officials, Iranian dissidents and Jewish and Israeli interests in the United States and abroad."

Targets of these alleged plots include senior U.S. officials, Iranian journalists in exile, and Jewish or Israeli civilians. Former President Donald Trump was reportedly briefed on specific threats from Iran to assassinate him. Other high-profile targets include former National Security Adviser John Bolton and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

The rise in alleged Iranian plots coincides with escalating tensions between Tehran and Western nations, particularly Israel. Iran has denied involvement in these incidents, calling the allegations "fabrications" meant to divert attention from other issues.

Masih Alinejad, an Iranian-American journalist and prominent critic of the Islamic Republic, has been the target of multiple alleged plots. She told Reuters, "We don't feel safe anymore," speaking of Iranian dissidents living in the U.S.

U.S. authorities have identified specific Iranian officials they claim are responsible for directing attack planning. Among them is Mohammad Reza Ansari, allegedly part of a Revolutionary Guards unit focused on "lethal operations" abroad.

As tensions continue to simmer, potential targets remain on high alert. John Bolton stated, "I think this is the most unprecedented campaign of attempted assassinations against American officials and former officials in our history."

The ongoing situation underscores the complex geopolitical landscape and the challenges faced by Western nations in countering alleged state-sponsored terrorism. As investigations continue and new cases emerge, the international community remains vigilant against potential threats emanating from Iran.