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Iranian authorities have arrested a Swedish citizen on charges of spying for Israel, according to a report published Monday by the state-owned Tasnim News Agency. The arrest comes amid heightened tensions following the recent 12-day war between Iran and Israel.
Tasnim reported that the unnamed individual was “identified and arrested on charges of spying for the Zionist regime during the 12-Day War.” Iranian officials frequently use the term “Zionist regime” when referring to Israel.
According to the report, Iranian security services claim to possess evidence linking the suspect to Israeli intelligence networks. The allegations include training and operational connections with what Iran described as known Israeli agents operating across six European countries.
The report further claimed that some of these connections extended to the “occupied territories,” a phrase Iranian authorities use to refer to the state of Israel. Tasnim stated that the suspect had been in Israel just two weeks before entering Iran.
Iranian officials allege the Swedish citizen entered the country approximately one month before the outbreak of the 12-day conflict. During that period, he reportedly stayed in a villa near the city of Karaj, west of Tehran.
Authorities claimed that law enforcement officers discovered what they described as “electronic spy equipment” in the suspect’s possession. Tasnim did not provide further technical details about the nature of the alleged devices.
The Iranian news agency also reported that the accused had “confessed to spying for the Zionist regime.” It said the case has already been heard by the second branch of the Alborz Islamic Revolutionary Court.
According to Tasnim, a verdict in the case is expected to be issued within the week. Iranian judicial proceedings in national security cases are often conducted behind closed doors, with limited access for independent observers.
The arrest has drawn renewed attention to Iran’s long-standing practice of detaining foreign nationals on espionage-related charges. Human rights organizations and several Western governments have repeatedly accused Tehran of using such arrests as leverage in diplomatic negotiations.
Iranian authorities have consistently rejected these accusations, insisting that arrests are carried out strictly on legal and security grounds. Officials maintain that foreign nationals are not detained for political purposes.
In recent years, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has detained dozens of dual nationals and foreigners. Many of these individuals have been accused of espionage or acting against Iran’s national security.
Following the conclusion of the 12-day war with Israel, Iranian authorities intensified their crackdown on alleged espionage networks. Hundreds of people were reportedly arrested on suspicion of spying for Israel.
Human rights groups say many of those detained have been charged without transparent legal proceedings. As of August, Iranian courts had handed down at least eight death sentences related to alleged espionage for Israel.
The recent conflict has further escalated covert hostilities between Iran and Israel. Both sides have acknowledged the role of intelligence operations in shaping the confrontation.
The Mossad and the Israel Defense Forces have previously stated that Israeli agents operated inside Iran for months leading up to the June conflict. Israeli officials have indicated such operations would continue as long as they deem necessary.
Israel has neither confirmed nor denied any connection to the Swedish citizen mentioned in the Tasnim report. Swedish authorities have also not publicly commented on the arrest or the accusations.
Diplomatic analysts say the case could complicate already strained relations between Iran and European countries. Sweden, like several European states, has previously expressed concern over the detention of its citizens abroad.
The arrest underscores the broader climate of mistrust and confrontation that continues to define relations between Iran and Israel. It also highlights the risks faced by foreign nationals traveling in the region amid escalating geopolitical tensions.
As the expected verdict approaches, international observers are likely to closely monitor the case. The outcome may have implications not only for the accused individual, but also for Iran’s relations with Europe and the wider international community.