STOCKHOLM, March 18 – Sweden’s intelligence agency has identified Russia, China and Iran as the most significant security threats confronting the Scandinavian nation, according to Wednesday’s release of the annual threat assessment from the Swedish Security Service, known as SAPO.
In recent years, the security agency has documented escalating dangers, particularly from Moscow’s government as it becomes more willing to engage in dangerous operations connected to its conflict in Ukraine, including destabilizing hybrid warfare tactics across European nations.
Iranian activities have similarly been designated as a major concern for an extended period, with Swedish officials observing how organized crime groups within the country – which has struggled with gang violence for the past ten years – have been exploited by foreign governments to execute violent operations.
Security Service Chief Charlotte von Essen stated in the assessment that recent military actions involving the United States and Israel against Iran, along with Tehran’s retaliatory responses, “have increased the threat against American, Israeli and Jewish targets in Sweden.”
