Iran has reportedly been involving young children in attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets in Europe. This is a new development at a time when Iranian proxies have been facing setbacks and the country’s influence in the Middle East is diminishing.
The troubling pattern includes incidents in Sweden, Belgium and Norway as Tehran has expanded its proxy war against Israel into Europe.
For instance, in Stockholm, a 15-year-old boy was found carrying a loaded gun when he took a taxi in May and directed the driver to take him to the Israeli Embassy. However, he had to seek directions from an associate as he was unable to locate the building. Fortunately, Swedish police intervened and prevented any harm from occurring.
In addition, the recent ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has compounded Iran’s woes in the region.Â
While some of these youth are driven by a sense of frustration over Israel’s actions in Gaza, others are enticed by financial incentives. Interestingly, in countries like Sweden and Norway, individuals under the age of 15 cannot face prosecution, as highlighted in the report.
“There are cases where the proxies aren’t aware or don’t realize that they are acting on behalf of a foreign power,” the Swedish Security Service said in a statement this year.
The 16-year-old who attacked Elbit Systems used two thermos flasks packed with explosives in an attack on the Israeli defense company and was charged alongside a 23-year-old accomplice, according to Bloomberg.Â
Police secure the area near the Israeli Embassy in Stockholm after an apparent shooting on Oct. 1, 2024. (Getty Images)
Sweden has seen an increasing presence of organized criminal gangs recruiting minors from immigrant communities.Â
More than 1.5 million people have moved to the country since 1980 and now around 20% of the population has been born outside the country, but many struggle to assimilate, the report said.
