Grayzone

Uber CEO plots ‘opening up’ of Iran with Israeli-tied monarchist opposition group

Washington Post

Iran turns to Hells Angels and other criminal gangs to target critics

Associated Press

Stockholm accuses Iran of using criminals in Sweden to target Israel or Jewish interests

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The BBC News, citing recent Western intelligence reports, alleged on Thursday that Iran has been recruiting individuals from global criminal circles for attacks abroad. The report pointed to recent cases, including the March conviction in New York of two men linked to the Soviet-time "Thieves-in-law" gang for plotting to kill an Iranian-American activist.

BBC News

The BBC News, citing recent Western intelligence reports, alleged on Thursday that Iran has been recruiting individuals from global criminal circles for attacks abroad. The report pointed to recent cases, including the March conviction in New York of two men linked to the Soviet-time "Thieves-in-law" gang for plotting to kill an Iranian-American activist.

This follows a British intelligence report published in October last year that alleged that since January 2022, there had been 20 Iranian-backed plots targeting U.K. citizens, adding that Iranian state actors are increasingly utilizing criminal networks ranging from international drug traffickers to local criminals as proxies. Iran has previously denied such claims.

Icct

This follows a British intelligence report published in October last year that alleged that since January 2022, there had been 20 Iranian-backed plots targeting U.K. citizens, adding that Iranian state actors are increasingly utilizing criminal networks ranging from international drug traffickers to local criminals as proxies. Iran has previously denied such claims.

Swedish and Israeli investigators have also linked attacks on Israeli embassies in Stockholm and Copenhagen to the Swedish Foxtrot crime syndicate, which Israeli intelligence agency Mossad says works on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) — a claim backed by the U.S. and U.K. In a recent report, Iran International alleged that Foxtrot's leader, Rawa Majid, currently resides in Iran under the protection of the IRGC. Iran denies any ties to the group.

Times of Israel

Iran International

Swedish and Israeli investigators have also linked attacks on Israeli embassies in Stockholm and Copenhagen to the Swedish Foxtrot crime syndicate, which Israeli intelligence agency Mossad says works on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) — a claim backed by the U.S. and U.K. In a recent report, Iran International alleged that Foxtrot's leader, Rawa Majid, currently resides in Iran under the protection of the IRGC. Iran denies any ties to the group.

Meanwhile, Middle East-focused investigative journalist Tam Hussein reports established connections between the Iranian regime and various criminal organizations, including the Kinahan cartel, Japanese Yakuza, and Eastern European mafia groups, using them for activities ranging from assassination attempts to sanctions evasion.

Tamhussein

Digi24

Meanwhile, Middle East-focused investigative journalist Tam Hussein reports established connections between the Iranian regime and various criminal organizations, including the Kinahan cartel, Japanese Yakuza, and Eastern European mafia groups, using them for activities ranging from assassination attempts to sanctions evasion.

Other gangs that Western intelligence has linked to Iran include Hells Angels and Rumba, which are also allegedly used to carry out attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets across Europe, with several recent incidents documented in Sweden and Belgium.

Iranintl

Atlantic Council

The case for designating Iran-linked crime networks as FTOs

Irans Ties To Western Organized Crime Networks

Pro-establishment narrative

The U.S. has long outpaced Iran in criminal gang ties, from WWII Mafia deals to Contra-era cartels, fueling global unrest. Regarding Iran specifically, it was an illegal U.S.-U.K. coup in 1953 that ousted Iran's democratic government, sowing distrust that shapes its defiance today. U.S. and Israeli regime-change threats continue today, which shows Tehran's actions are defensive, not just aggressive.

The U.S. has long outpaced Iran in criminal gang ties, from WWII Mafia deals to Contra-era cartels, fueling global unrest. Regarding Iran specifically, it was an illegal U.S.-U.K. coup in 1953 that ousted Iran's democratic government, sowing distrust that shapes its defiance today. U.S. and Israeli regime-change threats continue today, which shows Tehran's actions are defensive, not just aggressive.

Middle East Eye

Iran and the US: When friends fall out

Malone

Drugs as Weapons of War: The US CIA and the Heroin Trade

Establishment-critical narrative

There is a 33% chance that Iran will experience a successful coup d'etat before 2040, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 33% chance that Iran will experience a successful coup d'etat before 2040, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

BBC: Iran Weaponizes Crime Syndicates for Global Operations

The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

Establishment-critical narrative

Metaculus Prediction

Public Figures

Go Deeper

Establishment split

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BBC: Iran Weaponizes Crime Syndicates for Global Operations

The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

Establishment-critical narrative

Metaculus Prediction

Public Figures

Go Deeper

Establishment split

CRITICAL

PRO

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