Sweden’s security service, Säpo, has leveled serious accusations against Iranian intelligence, claiming that hackers affiliated with Tehran infiltrated a Swedish SMS messaging service to disseminate over 15,000 messages urging revenge against individuals involved in Quran burnings.

This breach, which occurred in the summer of 2023, has heightened tensions between Sweden and Iran, particularly in light of recent anti-Islam demonstrations in Sweden.

The controversy traces back to several incidents in which anti-Islam activists burned copies of the Quran, provoking outrage across Muslim-majority nations and leading to violent protests, including the torching of Sweden’s embassy in Iraq.

In response, Sweden’s government condemned the Quran burnings, with police attempting to ban the actions, but courts upheld the protesters’ right to free expression.

According to Säpo, the hacking operation was executed by a cyber group known as Anzu, which is allegedly associated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC).

The security service reported that Anzu managed to breach a Swedish company’s SMS platform, seizing control of user accounts, passwords, and other sensitive data.

On August 1, 2023, the group reportedly sent messages stating, “Those who insulted the Quran must be punished for their work,” further inflaming societal divisions in Sweden.

Fredrik Hallström, a spokesperson for Säpo, indicated that multiple individuals connected to the Revolutionary Guards participated in the operation, which they believe exacerbated the threats against Sweden.

“The operation was designed to create division within Swedish society and frame it as an Islamophobic country,” he noted in an interview with Dagens Nyheter.

Sweden’s Justice Minister, Gunnar Strömmer, condemned the actions, asserting that it was alarming for a state actor like Iran to attempt to destabilize the country. “The intent to increase polarization in our society is very serious,” he remarked.

Säpo’s investigation into the hacking incident has identified the Iranian hackers’ identities; however, due to jurisdictional issues, extradition is not feasible, and the inquiry has been effectively closed.

Prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist emphasized that while the identities are known, the legal framework does not permit their prosecution in Sweden.

In recent months, Swedish prosecutors have also charged an Iraqi activist and an accomplice with incitement against an ethnic group, linking them to the Quran burnings.

Both individuals deny any wrongdoing, but their case highlights the ongoing legal repercussions stemming from the contentious demonstrations. This incident marks yet another chapter in Sweden’s fraught relationship with Iran.

In May, Säpo accused the Iranian government of utilizing criminal networks within Sweden to execute violent acts against individuals and groups considered threats to the Iranian regime. Säpo has identified Iran, alongside Russia and China, as one of the primary security threats facing Sweden.

As tensions continue to mount, the Swedish government remains vigilant in its efforts to safeguard its national security and protect freedom of expression while navigating the complexities of international relations with state actors engaging in hostile activities.