Germany Warns Europe Is in Iran’s Crosshairs, Vows to Counter Tehran’s Hostile Activities

BERLIN (Terror Monitor) — German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has warned that Europe is increasingly exposed to hostile activities linked to Iran, declaring that Germany will not tolerate threats against its security, as a court sentenced two men for plotting attacks against Jewish and pro-Israel figures on behalf of Iranian intelligence.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel in Berlin on Friday, Wadephul cited Britain’s allegations of Iranian involvement in a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford, a British airbase used by US forces, and a recent German court ruling involving two men accused of planning attacks against prominent Jewish and pro-Israel figures.

“Europe is in Iran’s crosshairs,” Wadephul said, referring to the security concerns raised by the alleged activities.

The German foreign minister’s remarks came amid growing tensions between European governments and Tehran over alleged intelligence operations, threats against Jewish communities and suspected attempts to carry out attacks on European soil.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said the suspected plot involving RAF Fairford was almost certainly directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Tehran has denied involvement and called on Britain to provide evidence.

German Court Sentences Two Men Over Iran-Linked Plots

Wadephul pointed to a ruling by Hamburg’s Higher Regional Court, which sentenced two men on Thursday for intelligence activities on behalf of Iran and their involvement in preparations for attacks against Jewish and pro-Israel figures in Germany.

The court sentenced Ali S., a 54-year-old Danish citizen of Afghan origin, to eight years and six months in prison. His co-defendant, Tawab M., a 43-year-old Afghan national, received a four-year-and-six-month sentence.

According to the court’s findings, the defendants had conducted surveillance on prominent Jewish and pro-Israel figures, including Josef Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, and Volker Beck, president of the German-Israeli Society.

The investigation also established that Ali S. had prepared an arson attack against a kosher food business in Berlin.

German prosecutors said Ali S. had received instructions from Iran’s Quds Force, the foreign operations branch of the IRGC, and had sought assistance from his co-defendant in arranging an attack against Beck.

The court found that the men had participated in activities intended to facilitate violent attacks under the direction of Iranian intelligence. Both defendants had lived in Denmark before being arrested and transferred to Germany.

The verdicts followed a lengthy investigation into suspected Iranian intelligence operations targeting Jewish and pro-Israel individuals in Europe.

The case has intensified concerns among German officials about the use of intelligence networks and intermediaries to conduct surveillance and prepare attacks against individuals considered hostile to Tehran.

Britain Accuses Iran of Involvement in RAF Fairford Incident

Wadephul also referred to the suspected plot involving RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England, which has been used by American forces during military operations against Iran.

British authorities arrested several men following a security incident near the base on September 27. Police investigated suspicions that the group had been preparing an attack, although no explosives were found and the suspects were subsequently released on bail.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham later said the incident was almost certainly directed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

The allegations prompted Britain to impose sanctions on two individuals accused of involvement in Iranian intelligence activities and to take additional diplomatic measures against Tehran.

Iran has rejected the accusations, while British authorities have continued to investigate the circumstances surrounding the suspected plot.

The incident has raised concerns about the potential use of covert networks to target military facilities and other sensitive sites in Europe, particularly amid the wider conflict involving Iran and Western countries.

Wadephul Warns of Growing Russian Threats

Alongside his warnings about Iran, Wadephul highlighted what he described as increasing threats posed by Russia to European security.

He cited attacks against commercial shipping in Bulgarian maritime areas, threats to airports, damage or interference involving undersea cables, and cyberattacks against critical infrastructure as examples of the broader security challenges confronting European countries.

Such activities are frequently discussed by European governments under the term hybrid threats, which encompasses a range of hostile actions designed to undermine security without necessarily constituting conventional military attacks.

These can include cyber operations, sabotage, disinformation, covert intelligence activities and interference with essential infrastructure.

Wadephul said European countries needed to strengthen their coordination and maintain a firm response to such threats.

His comments came as Germany and Portugal reaffirmed their support for Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing war, with both governments emphasising the importance of European unity and continued assistance to Kyiv.

Germany Opposes Concessions to Putin

The German foreign minister also warned against making concessions to Russian President Vladimir Putin, arguing that European governments should maintain pressure on Moscow.

He said the European Union’s sanctions against Russia were intended to weaken its capacity to continue the war against Ukraine.

Wadephul stressed that European security required a coordinated response to Russian military aggression and activities targeting critical infrastructure.

His remarks reflected Berlin’s position that diplomatic efforts should not come at the expense of European security or undermine support for Ukraine.

Germany has been among the principal European supporters of Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

European Governments Coordinate Response to Iranian Activities

Wadephul’s warning about Iran also comes against the backdrop of a broader international effort to address alleged Iranian-linked violence and covert operations in Europe.

On October 12, Germany, Portugal, Britain, the United States and other countries issued a joint statement condemning what they described as Iran’s use of violent attacks, assassination plots, arson, sabotage, cyberattacks and other hybrid activities against European countries and their partners.

The statement referred specifically to the British assessment concerning RAF Fairford and called for coordinated efforts to protect communities, investigate hostile activities and hold those responsible accountable.

The participating governments said they would strengthen cooperation to safeguard their sovereignty and protect people and infrastructure from attacks carried out through covert networks or intermediaries.

Iran has rejected accusations of involvement in several of the incidents, and individual investigations remain subject to the evidence available to national authorities.

Nevertheless, the recent German court verdict and the investigation involving RAF Fairford have reinforced European concerns about the security implications of alleged Iranian intelligence operations.

Security Concerns Extend Beyond Iran and Russia

Wadephul’s comments highlighted the multiple security challenges facing Europe, from alleged Iranian intelligence activities and threats against Jewish communities to Russian military aggression and suspected hybrid operations.

The German government has argued that European countries must respond collectively to threats against their populations, institutions and critical infrastructure.

The sentencing of the two men in Hamburg has provided German authorities with a judicial finding concerning an Iran-linked plot, while the investigation into the RAF Fairford incident remains ongoing.

By raising both Iran and Russia in the same press conference, Wadephul underscored Berlin’s view that European security requires sustained cooperation among allies, continued vigilance and a coordinated response to hostile activities.

Sources: Reuters, Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, Anadolu Agency, the German government and European foreign ministries.