...
By Gabe Whisnant and Sonam Sheth
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The U.S. is imposing sanctions on the Foxtrot Network, a transnational criminal organization, and its leader, Rawa Majid.
The Context
Based in Sweden, the Foxtrot Network is a player in regional drug trafficking and arms smuggling. The Iranian regime has also reportedly used the Foxtrot Network to orchestrate attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets across Europe.
Read More on U.S.
What To Know
On January 31, 2024, Swedish authorities thwarted an attempted attack on the Israeli Embassy in Stockholm. A "live" and "dangerous object," later identified as a hand grenade, was discovered outside the embassy premises. The national bomb squad destroyed the device in a controlled detonation.
Investigations by Israeli intelligence agency Mossad and the Swedish Security Service (Säpo) later revealed that the Foxtrot Network carried out the attack under directives from Iran.
"Today, the United States is sanctioning the Foxtrot Network, a transnational criminal organization, and its fugitive leader, Rawa Majid," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement announcing the sanctions.
"The Foxtrot Network is a notorious criminal gang based in Sweden and a prominent drug trafficking organization in the region," he added. "The group is involved in arms trafficking and contributes to rising violence in Northern Europe, including shootings, contract killings, and assaults."
...
What People Are Saying
Rubio said in his statement: "The Department of State, together with the Department of the Treasury, will continue to expose and impose costs on the Iranian regime for its malign activities as part of the Trump Administration's renewed maximum pressure campaigns. This action also underscores our commitment to hold accountable those individuals and organizations who work in conjunction with the regime in Tehran to undermine our nation's safety and security and our global partners."
Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said in a statement: "Iran's brazen use of transnational criminal organizations and narcotics traffickers underscores the regime's attempts to achieve its aims through any means, with no regard for the cost to communities across Europe.
He continued, "Treasury, alongside our U.S. government and international partners, will continue to hold accountable those who seek to further Iran's thuggish and destabilizing agenda," Bessent added.
What Happens Next
The State Department said the Foxtrot Network is being sanctioned pursuant to an executive order from President Donald Trump "for being a foreign person that constitutes a significant transnational criminal organization."
Majid is being sanctioned "for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the Foxtrot Network," the department said.
To that end, "all property and interests in property" belonging to Majid and the Foxtrot Network in the U.S. has been blocked.
Update 03/12/25 12:50 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 03/12/25 5:41 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 03/12/25 5:50 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines