Iran's Cyber Attack on Sweden: Influence Campaign Exposed

Swedish authorities revealed that Iran hacked into a text messaging service in 2022, disseminating thousands of messages urging retaliation against Koran burners. This cyberattack, attributed to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, aimed to portray Sweden as Islamophobic and increase societal division. No charges will be pressed as the hackers acted on behalf of a foreign state.

Swedish authorities have confirmed that Iran orchestrated a cyberattack on a Swedish text messaging service last year, spreading thousands of messages inciting retaliation against Koran burners.

In 2023, multiple public burnings of Islam's holy book in Sweden provoked outrage in the Muslim world, raising fears of jihadist attacks. The Swedish Security Service identified an Iranian Revolutionary Guard group behind the campaign aimed at labeling Sweden as an Islamophobic country and creating societal divisions.

Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer called the act, attributed to a state actor, very serious. The Swedish Prosecution Authority disclosed the involvement of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps but will not press charges against the identified hackers, citing limitations in prosecution and extradition.