Swedish Radio: Iranian Couple 'Suspected of Collaborating with the IRGC' Conspired to Assassinate Jews

Investigations by 'Swedish Radio' have revealed details of a plot to kill Swedish Jews orchestrated by the Islamic Republic of Iran. According to the report, this covert operation was to be carried out by an Iranian couple who had lived in Sweden under false identities for over five years. Aron Verstandig, the head of the official Jewish communities in Sweden, was one of the targets of this assassination plot. Verstandig told Swedish Radio that the Swedish Security Service contacted him in September 2021 and informed him that he was likely the target of a terrorist operation. He emphasized that this would not deter him from his work and that he would continue his activities. The couple, identified as Mahdi Ramazani and Farishta Sanaei-Farid, were arrested in April 2021 on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a terrorist act. Hans Erman, the Deputy Attorney General of Sweden, stated that the charges were very serious without disclosing details about the potential targets of these assassination attempts. Sources close to Swedish Radio have indicated that the Iranian couple was apparently operating under the guidance of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The U.S. and several other countries have designated this military entity of the Islamic Republic as a terrorist organization. Swedish criminal investigations have uncovered evidence linking the couple to the IRGC and revealing their involvement in planning a terrorist act in Sweden. However, due to insufficient evidence, prosecutors were unable to specify the details of the assassination plot, and consequently, the case did not go to court. The FBI has also conducted investigations regarding this couple, particularly concerning targeting a dual-national American citizen. Although Ramazani and Sanaei-Farid were not prosecuted, they were considered a security threat and were expelled from Sweden and returned to Iran. They had entered Sweden as Afghan refugees using fake names and identities, raising questions about the Swedish immigration screening process. Despite not providing details about the case, the Swedish Security Agency confirmed the couple's connection to the IRGC. According to sources close to the Swedish criminal investigations, the couple became active as a terrorist cell during a trip to Iran in early 2021. It is believed they met with IRGC agents during this trip and were reportedly paid an unspecified amount. Upon their return to Sweden, they purchased a car and collected addresses and photographs of their intended targets. The Swedish Radio investigation team claims to have obtained copies of some classified documents. The couple has denied any involvement in planning a terrorist act. Last June, the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned five IRGC members and an organization affiliated with the Quds Force for involvement in a series of 'terrorist conspiracies, including plans to assassinate officials of the previous U.S. government, American citizens and dual nationals, as well as Iranian dissidents.' Brian Nelson, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, stated that the U.S. will continue to expose and thwart the IRGC's and Quds Force's plans to carry out 'violent and terrorizing actions aimed at silencing human rights defenders and the freedoms of the Iranian people, as well as assassinating opponents of the Iranian government.'