As the war linked to Iran has escalated since the beginning of March 2026 and its regional implications have widened, the effects of the conflict are no longer confined to the Middle East but have reached Europe. Security agencies in several European countries have issued increasing warnings about the potential growth of spy activities or operations believed to be affiliated with entities connected to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, particularly its external unit, the Quds Force.

European officials believe that the military escalation in the region not only threatens energy security and international navigation but may also increase security threats within the continent, whether through surveillance networks, covert operations, or activities targeting dissidents and sensitive institutions.

The European warnings about these activities are not new. A report issued in 2013 by the General Intelligence and Security Service in the Netherlands highlighted operations targeting Iranian dissidents within Europe, using local intermediaries and community members to conduct surveillance or gather information. This report was among the first official indications of network activities believed to be affiliated with Iranian security entities abroad.

The annual report issued in 2020 by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution in Germany also confirmed that Iranian intelligence continues its activities within Europe, focusing on gathering political and security information and monitoring Iranian dissidents abroad. The report noted that some operations might be conducted under diplomatic, commercial, or cultural cover—common methods in the intelligence world—but have become more complex in recent years due to the use of indirect networks and modern communication technologies.

In recent years, several European countries have uncovered security issues linked to activities suspected of being connected to Iran's Quds Force. Authorities in Belgium and France announced in 2028 that they had foiled a plot targeting an Iranian opposition rally near Paris. Subsequent investigations led to the conviction of an Iranian diplomat stationed at his country's embassy in Vienna, in a case considered unprecedented in Europe–Iran relations.

Danish authorities announced in the same year that they had thwarted a plot to assassinate an Iranian opposition figure residing in their territory, leading to widespread diplomatic tensions and sparking discussions across Europe on tightening measures against foreign intelligence activities. In Germany, a court in 2018 convicted an individual of espionage for the Quds Force after monitoring Jewish and Israeli targets in the country. In 2023, German authorities arrested a translator working for the German army on suspicion of espionage for an entity linked to Iran, a case reflecting the heightened sensitivity of European military institutions to potential security breaches.

In a related context, the European Police Agency’s latest assessments warned that rising tensions linked to Iran could have significant implications for Europe’s security, including an increased risk of terrorism, cyberattacks, and organised crime. The agency highlighted the potential exploitation of regional conflicts by hostile actors to conduct influence campaigns or destabilising operations within the continent.

European concerns are not limited to political or security activities alone but also extend to attempts to access advanced technology within Europe, particularly in the fields of scientific research, communications, and precision industries. Security reports confirm that some of these attempts may target dual-use technologies, which can be employed in both civilian and military domains.