Europol: Increased Risk of Terrorist and Cyber Attacks in EU Due to Iran Crisis

Europol warns of an increased risk of terrorist attacks, organized crime, and cyberattacks in the European Union as a consequence of the crisis in the Middle East.

Europol representative Jan Orth stated that groups linked to Iran may seek to carry out "destabilization actions" in the EU, such as terrorist attacks, intimidation campaigns, terrorist financing, and cybercrime. He also referred to the so-called Axis of Resistance, the network of Shiite paramilitary organizations.

Orth pointed out the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence for online fraud and the possibility of more cyberattacks against European infrastructure.

Europol estimates that the level of terrorist threat in the EU is high and could be reinforced by individuals or small groups.

The rapid spread of polarizing content online may accelerate radicalization in diaspora communities.