The escalating conflict in Iran is putting Europe on high alert, with international police agency Europol warning of "an increased threat" of terrorism and "violent extremism" on European soil, as well as a rise in cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns.
"The ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran has immediate consequences for serious and organised crime and terrorism in the EU," said Jan op gen Oorth, Europol's head of communications.
"The main risks are an increased threat of terrorism and violent extremism, the increase in cyberattacks targeting EU infrastructure, a rise in conflict-themed online fraud schemes and the spread of disinformation and influence campaigns," he added.
Europol is reportedly raising the alarm about Iran-linked networks in Europe, including groups linked to Iran's so-called "Axis of Resistance" and "criminal networks believed to operate under the direction of Iranian security institutions."
The agency's warnings come days after Iran's Grand Ayatollah, Nasser Makarem Shirazi, issued a fatwa calling for holy war against the United States and Israel following the death of Ayatollah Khamenei in joint US-Israeli attacks on Saturday.
Iran has also issued direct warnings to European governments.
Esmail Baghaei, spokesman for Iran's foreign ministry, recently said that any action against Tehran would be seen as collaboration with its attackers and would be considered "an act of war."
It is reported that some European governments have already increased security measures. /Telegraph/
