Latest Developments
Treasury Sanctions Foxtrot Network: The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned the Foxtrot Network, a Swedish transnational criminal organization involved in drug trafficking and planning attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets in Europe. OFAC’s sanctions, announced on March 13, are aimed at “disrupting, degrading, and denying the Iranian regime’s ability to sustain its criminal destabilizing activity.”
Foxtrot’s Activities: The Foxtrot Network is considered “one of the most notorious criminal gangs” in Sweden, responsible for “shootings, contract killings, assaults, and other forms of violence,” according to OFAC’s announcement. The gang’s attacks against Israeli targets in Europe on behalf of Iran include the January 2024 attempted bombing of the Israeli Embassy in Stockholm.
Group Leader Cooperated With Iran: The leader of the Foxtrot Network, Rawa Majid, was individually sanctioned by OFAC, which said that he had “cooperated with the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security.” Majid has previously faced charges in Sweden for several weapons trafficking and narcotics-related offenses. Israel warned in May 2024 that Majid was working for the Islamic Republic after he traveled to Iran in September of the previous year.
FDD Expert Response:
“Europe has fallen on its face in addressing the threat posed by Iran. Today’s designations illustrate how deep Iran’s tentacles penetrate Sweden and the European Union more broadly. Iran has routinely used its diplomatic facilities throughout Europe to plan and execute operations against dissidents and opposition activists, and it is now weaponizing organized crime elements and drug trafficking networks to further its goals. Europe needs to take definitive measures against Iran, including expelling Iranian diplomats involved in criminal activity and designating its terror proxies, such as Hezbollah.” —Tyler Stapleton, Director of Congressional Relations
“Tehran’s malign ambitions extend beyond regional Shia and Sunni Islamist groups. The regime supports criminal and terrorist networks worldwide to further its anti-Western agenda, exploiting Europe’s reluctance to confront these threats. A decisive first step for the European Union would be the designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization.” —Janatan Sayeh, Research Analyst
FDD Background and Analysis
“Trump Ends Sanctions Waiver on Iraq’s Purchase of Iranian Electricity,” FDD Flash Brief
“Iranian Rial Falls to Record Low Amid Return of Trump’s ‘Maximum Pressure’ Sanctions,” FDD Flash Brief
“Trump’s Return Pushes Iran Into a Defensive Posture,” by Janatan Sayeh
“Trump’s year of opportunity against Iran,” by Janatan Sayeh and Saeed Ghasseminejad
Issues:
Iran Iran Global Threat Network Iran-backed Terrorism Israel Sanctions and Illicit Finance