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US sanctions Swedish drug gang tied to Iran that has attacked Israelis, Jews in Europe

“Iran’s brazen use of transnational criminal organizations and narcotics traffickers underscores the regime’s attempts to achieve its aims through any means,” the U.S. treasury secretary stated.

Stockholm
A train approaches the city of Stockholm. Credit: johnNaturePhotos/Pixabay.

The U.S. State and Treasury departments announced sanctions on Wednesday against the Foxtrot network, which the agencies said is a criminal gang and drug-trafficking organization based in Sweden, that has coordinated attacks with Iran throughout Europe, including on Israelis and Jews.

The U.S. government also placed penalties on the group’s leader, fugitive Rawa Majid, who it said has cooperated with the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security.

The Foxtrot Network collaborated with the Iranian regime to “carry out attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets in Europe,” including an attack on the Israeli Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden, in January of 2024, per the State Department.

“Iran’s brazen use of transnational criminal organizations and narcotics traffickers underscores the regime’s attempts to achieve its aims through any means, with no regard for the cost to communities across Europe,” stated U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

“Treasury, alongside our U.S. government and international partners, will continue to hold accountable those who seek to further Iran’s thuggish and destabilizing agenda,” he said.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the sanctions make America and its partners safer, as the United States “holds accountable those who advance Iran’s destabilizing agenda.”

“Foxtrot has employed minors and criminals in Sweden on behalf of Iran’s regime to attack Israel’s interests and Jews,” stated Jason Brodsky, policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran.

Kenneth Marcus, founder and chairman of the Brandeis Center, told JNS that “we understand that those who characterize us that way, rather than as the civil rights organization we are, generally aim to marginalize us or undermine our efforts.”
Michael Specht, Ramapo Town Council supervisor, called the incident “very disturbing.”
The head of the Iranian parliament spoke after U.S. President Donald Trump warned he will destroy the Islamic Republic’s energy sites if it doesn’t open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.
The latest attacks “show us what a cruel regime it is and what kind of danger it is,” the Israeli president said.
Hundreds of phone calls are being made by Israel’s foreign intelligence agency, along with targeted assassinations of top regime leaders.