Europe is on alert as the US and Israeli war against Iran heightens concern about possible terrorist attacks, a Europol official told Euractiv.
“The level of terrorist and violent extremist threat on EU territory is assessed as elevated. This could manifest itself through radicalisation among lone actors or small, improvised cells,” spokesman Jan Op Gen Oorth said.
He warned that rapidly spreading online material could accelerate short-term radicalisation among some members of EU-based diaspora communities and others.
Earlier that week, the European Commission's Security College decided to intensify cooperation with Europol amid fears of Iranian retaliation following Ali Khamenei's killing.
A source told Euractiv on 3 March that, if Iranian authorities became desperate, they might resort to what the source called chaotic terrorism, with independent cells lacking direct contact with Tehran told to act freely.
Europol also expressed concern about the possible activation of proxies operating under Iranian direction.
“These actors include the so-called Axis of Resistance and criminal networks assessed to operate under the direction of Iranian security institutions,” the official said.
Their activities could include terrorist attacks, intimidation and terrorist financing, as well as cyberattacks, disinformation and online fraud, he added.
Cyber threats and cooperation with Cyprus
Europol believes the risk of cyberattacks against Western infrastructure and businesses could increase further if the conflict continues.
“The conflict will create parallel dynamics online. Criminal and terrorist networks will exploit the heightened information environment through fraud and AI-assisted disinformation,” Op Gen Oorth said.
Asked about reports of thousands of pro-regime Iranians in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus, he said:
“As a matter of principle, Europol maintains continuous, structured communication with the competent authorities in Cyprus and stands ready to support them whenever such support is requested by the Cypriot authorities.”
