Agents linked to Iran are recruiting minors for attacks on Israeli and Jewish institutions across Europe, according to a Bloomberg report.

A disturbing pattern of incidents in Sweden, Belgium and Norway has exposed Tehran’s covert campaign to expand its war against Israel through proxies on European soil. At Stockholma 15-year-old boy boarded a taxi in May with a loaded gun and demanded to be taken to the Israeli embassy. However, the teenager, unaware of the exact location of the embassy, ​​had to call an associate for directions. The Swedish police, who were following the boy, stopped the taxi before it reached its destination.

At Gothenburga 13-year-old was caught shooting at the headquarters of Elbit Systems, an Israeli defense company. In a separate attack on the same premises, a 16-year-old boy was involved who, together with a 23-year-old accomplice, planted improvised explosive devices near the main entrance of the building. The bombs were hidden in thermos bottles and while the investigation was unable to determine who gave the instructions, prosecutors believe the attackers were acting on behalf of a larger network.

These incidents underscore Iran’s broader effort to expand its conflict with Israel beyond the Middle East by exploiting local pathogens in Europe. On BrusselsBelgian authorities foiled a planned attack on the Israeli embassy in May involving minors as young as 14. Meanwhile, the Norway temporarily raised its terror alert to high in October after reports of threats linked to Iran. Both Sweden and Norway have issued warnings about Tehran’s growing use of organized crime networks targeting Israeli interests.

The aftermath of a failed attack in Stockholm provides further evidence of these operations. On October 1, shots were fired at the Israeli embassy building, prompting a police response. By the time the police arrived, the suspect had already fled on a train bound for southern Copenhagen. Later that evening, two loud explosions were reported near the Israeli mission in the Danish capital. Security officials suspect the same person, also linked to Iran, was behind these incidents.

Social media as a method of “fishing”

Iranian agents allegedly they use platforms like Telegram and TikTok to reach out to potential recruits, Bloomberg said. Financial incentives are minimal, with payments of up to 120 euros for petrol bomb attacks and 1,500 euros for more serious crimes such as murder, according to Peter Nesser, a Norwegian terrorism researcher. Many of the recruits are teenagers, some unaware that they are working for a foreign power.

Swedish security officials pointed out that some young offenders do not realize the wider consequences of their actions. For example, the Stockholm teenager who was tracked down and arrested before he could reach the Israeli embassy was allegedly unaware of his relationships with his superiors, the report claimed. The same ambiguity surrounds the perpetrators of the Gothenburg bombing, who appeared to be acting under external direction but with limited understanding of the larger agenda.

Sweden and Norway, long considered open societies with minimal policing, now face vulnerabilities exploited by both international crime syndicates and hostile foreign actors. Sweden, where immigrants make up about 20% of the population, has seen increasing gang violence and difficulties integrating new arrivals. In Norway, political leaders have raised concerns about similar patterns of criminal recruitment across the border from Sweden.

The issue has also influenced political discourse, with Sweden’s government establishing youth detention centers to address growing concerns about juvenile crime, Bloomberg said. Norway, which faces elections next year, is debating similar measures, with the far-right Progress Party calling for tougher policies to tackle youth violence.

The incidents are part of a broader strategy by Tehran to destabilize Israeli targets worldwide. Iran’s regional proxies, weakened by Israel’s military responses in Gaza and Lebanon, appear to be shifting their focus to vulnerable communities in Europe. Officials fear that the exploitation of minors, combined with the low cost of attacks, will make it increasingly difficult to prevent such operations.

Despite the weakened state of its proxies, Iran remains a significant threat to European security. Security experts warn that the network’s clandestine activities will require increased vigilance and international cooperation to prevent further attacks.