The UK government has imposed sanctions on the Swedish-based Foxtrot criminal network and its leader, Rawa Majid, over their alleged involvement in Iran-backed plots targeting Jewish and Israeli interests across Europe, Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed on Monday.
The sanctions include asset freezes and travel bans and follow similar measures enacted by the United States in March, after authorities foiled an attempted attack on Israel’s embassy in Stockholm in January 2024. Majid, known as the “Kurdish Fox,” has been accused of coordinating violent operations on behalf of Iran’s regime.
In a statement, Lammy accused the Iranian government of using organised criminal groups to advance its interests abroad, calling the move “part of Britain’s broader strategy to counter Iranian hostilities in Europe.” To date, the UK has sanctioned over 450 Iranian individuals and entities over human rights violations, nuclear activities, and malign global influence.
Iran, which has long pledged the destruction of Israel, maintains a web of proxy groups in the Middle East and has increasingly sought to strike Israeli and Jewish targets internationally. Western intelligence agencies have reported more than 30 Iran-linked plots targeting officials and communities across Europe and North America since 2020.
Foxtrot Tied to Stockholm Embassy Plot
In May 2024, Israeli intelligence agency Mossad publicly accused Foxtrot of attempting to plant an explosive device at Israel’s Stockholm embassy, an attack that was thwarted in January that year. Mossad claimed that Rawa Majid had been recruited by Iran after fleeing to the country from Turkey in September 2023.
Sweden’s domestic security service, Säpo, later corroborated Mossad’s findings, confirming that Iran has conducted long-term operations within Swedish territory, including collaborations with organised crime groups.
New Legal Powers to Curb Foreign Influence
The UK government recently announced new legal requirements under its Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), mandating all individuals working for Iran or its affiliates to formally register with British authorities. Failure to comply will become a criminal offence later this year, carrying a potential sentence of up to five years in prison.
These measures are designed to boost national security amid rising threats, with UK intelligence confirming over 20 Iran-linked plots targeting British citizens or residents since 2022.
