September 25, 2024 at 05:24AM
Sweden accused Iran of orchestrating a cyberattack involving sending 15,000 text messages in Swedish, calling for revenge over Quran burnings. Iran denied involvement, labeling the accusation as baseless. The clash complicated Sweden’s NATO accession, with Turkey initially opposing. Iranian Supreme Leader condemned the Quran desecrations in Sweden. Sweden stated that no law specifically prohibits Quran burning.
The meeting notes describe Swedish authorities accusing Iran of being responsible for a cyberattack that involved sending thousands of text messages in Sweden calling for revenge over the burnings of Islam’s holy book. The cyberattack was allegedly carried out by Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, hacking an SMS service and sending messages in Swedish. The Iranian Embassy rejected the accusation, calling it baseless and intended to poison relations between Iran and Sweden.
The clash of fundamental principles in Sweden between free speech and respect for religious minorities complicated the country’s desire to join NATO. Turkey had temporarily blocked Sweden’s accession, citing reasons including anti-Turkish and anti-Islamic protests in Stockholm, but Sweden eventually became a NATO member in March. Iran’s supreme leader condemned the Quran desecrations in Sweden, expressing that they created feelings of hatred and enmity in Muslim nations.
SAPO’s operational manager stated that the intent of the text messages was to paint Sweden as an Islamophobic country and create division in society, accusing foreign powers of seeking to exploit vulnerabilities. Sweden’s justice minister described the case as very serious, as a state actor aiming to destabilize or increase polarization in the country.
The investigation into the cyberattack has been closed, but there is a possibility of reopening it. Sweden’s domestic security agency previously accused Iran of using criminal networks in Sweden as a proxy to target Israeli or Jewish interests. The Iranian Embassy in Sweden could not be reached for a comment.
In related news, Russian hackers are suspected of a cyberattack in Sweden, and the Swedish government has ordered four companies to stop using a Google tool.
These are the key takeaways from the meeting notes.