A new Iranian terrorist arm in Europe: digital footprint deciphers the code of blood
A digital footprint reveals the affiliation of a mysterious pro-Iranian group claiming responsibility for a series of attacks in Europe.
This comes after a group calling itself the “Rightful People Movement” claimed responsibility for a series of recent attacks targeting American communities and interests in Europe.
These attacks, posted by the group through social media accounts affiliated with pro-Iranian militias, include the burning of ambulance vehicles belonging to the Israeli community in the United Kingdom.
They also include the detonation of an explosive device in front of a synagogue in Belgium, as well as the foiling of an attack against a branch of the Bank of America in France, according to the American network CNN.
Digital footprint
The group appeared online only a month ago, shortly after the United States and Israel declared war on Iran.
According to an analysis conducted by the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism, a research center based in The Hague, “no known indication, online or offline, refers to the Islamic Rightful People Movement prior to March 9, when a post from the group was shared on a Telegram channel.”
According to CNN, since then, the group’s claims and posts have spread across Telegram and X channels affiliated with pro-Iranian militias and media outlets.
The network quoted counterterrorism expert and ICCT director, Thomas Renard, as saying: “In terms of digital footprint, there is a clear convergence with the pro-Iranian online ecosystem.”
It is not only that these channels publish or republish these filmed claims, but the simultaneity of their dissemination suggests a form of coordination.
Renard added: “There are many indications that this group is not real. At this stage, we are still in the realm of speculation. But there are strong indications that it could be supported by a foreign state, with Iran at the top of the list of potential actors.”
Spelling mistakes
Arabic spelling mistakes in the group’s slogan and in videos posted on its new Telegram account led ICCT analysts to conclude that it is not a professional and independent terrorist organization, but possibly a front for an operation coordinated by Iran.
Renard continued: “This is the model that Russia has perfected in recent years. And it appears — after verification — that Iran is now following a similar pattern.”
He noted that Iran has long used hybrid warfare methods by supporting other armed groups, considering this may be another example of Iran seeking plausible deniability through layers of intermediaries.
According to CNN, more information is likely to emerge as police and counterterrorism authorities examine the devices of the arrested suspects.
For her part, Martha Turnbull, director of the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats, an organization focused on enhancing security in European and NATO countries, said: “Over the past two years, the Iran-related threat to Europe has increased significantly.”
She cited examples of hostile operations and foiled assassination attempts in the Netherlands, Sweden, and Spain.
Turnbull, a counterterrorism expert, explained: “These attacks have demonstrated the continued focus of the Iranian regime on opponents, the Iranian diaspora abroad, and more recently, Jewish and Israeli targets.”
