On October 3, 2024, Sweden's Security Service (Sapo) announced potential Iranian involvement in explosions and gunfire near the Israeli embassy in Sweden and Denmark earlier this week. Danish police reported the arrest of three Swedish citizens on October 2 following two explosions, believed to be caused by grenades, near the Israeli embassy in Copenhagen.
Additionally, the Israeli embassy in Stockholm was targeted by gunfire the day prior. Fredrik Hallström, head of operations at Sapo, stated at a press conference that there is some evidence suggesting a link to Iran, although he emphasized that this remains a hypothesis rather than a definitive conclusion.
In May 2024, Sapo had previously indicated that Iran was recruiting members of Swedish criminal groups to carry out violent actions against Israeli interests and those of other countries in Sweden, a claim that Iran has denied. Swedish television reported that the recent attacks on embassies were allegedly ordered by the Swedish criminal network 'Fakstrott' at Iran's request.
A Danish court has since ordered the detention of two of the arrested Swedish citizens, aged 16 and 19, for 27 days, while the third individual, who was apprehended near the crime scene, has been released.
Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, several incidents targeting Israeli interests in Sweden have been reported. In February, Swedish police discovered a grenade in the embassy grounds, which the Israeli ambassador described as an unsuccessful attack. In May, gunfire occurred outside the Israeli embassy, prompting Swedish authorities to enhance security measures around Israeli institutions and the Jewish community.