Supo accuses Iran of espionage operations in Finland

By admin On May 31, 2025

The Finnish Security and Intelligence Service’s (Supo) temporary main office in Katajanokka, Helsinki. Photo: Heikki Saukkomaa / Lehtikuva

Finland’s national intelligence agency has publicly accused Iran of conducting espionage activities on Finnish soil. The Finnish Security and Intelligence Service (Supo) said the move reflects Iran’s broader pattern of increasingly hostile operations in Europe.

This is the first time Supo has officially named Iran among the states engaged in intelligence gathering in Finland. Until now, only Russia and China had been publicly identified.

According to Supo, Iran’s actions are primarily aimed at monitoring and pressuring its own diaspora, especially those critical of the regime. These activities include intelligence gathering on Iranian nationals or former citizens living in Finland, many of whom are involved in political opposition movements.

Historian and intelligence researcher Mikko Porvali said the espionage likely targets Iranian dissidents and is in line with Tehran’s broader surveillance efforts across Europe. “Iranian intelligence has long practised diaspora surveillance. The purpose is to intimidate or neutralise opposition abroad,” Porvali told Finnish media.

Porvali said the threat goes beyond intelligence gathering and may extend to acts of violence. “Authoritarian states have shown they are prepared to use any means necessary. This includes potential attacks on their enemies even on foreign soil,” he said.

Supo did not specify what kind of information Iran is trying to obtain but said such espionage typically involves collecting personal data on individuals through human intelligence methods. The agency added that in some cases, pressure is exerted through threats to family members in the country of origin.

Porvali said the timing of Supo’s announcement could relate to a recent counter-terror operation in the UK. British authorities arrested several individuals suspected of planning an attack on the Israeli embassy in London. The suspects were believed to have links to Iran.

Porvali suggested this may have led to intelligence sharing across Europe and triggered Finland’s public warning. “This is part of the broader European context. There have been several cases in recent years of Iranian opposition figures being murdered or targeted,” he said.

Supo said Iran’s espionage methods also include the use of criminal intermediaries. “Iran may commission organised crime groups to carry out certain actions in Finland,” the agency warned. Though Supo did not provide further detail, it said similar tactics have been uncovered across Europe in recent years, including attempts at sabotage and attacks.

Iran’s apparent disregard for consequences has grown, according to Porvali. “It’s not necessarily that the volume of intelligence activity has increased. What’s changed is the boldness. They no longer care as much about getting caught,” he said.

In neighbouring Sweden, authorities have previously warned that Iran may utilise local criminal networks to launch attacks against individuals, groups, or foreign interests. Supo said this use of “proxy actors” has become more visible across the intelligence and security landscape.

Finland has seen a general rise in foreign intelligence activity in recent years, driven by geopolitical tensions and global instability. Supo’s annual report previously indicated a significant increase in interest toward Finland’s foreign policy, defence cooperation, and critical infrastructure.

Iran now joins a short but growing list of countries named by Supo as direct security concerns for Finland. While Finland and Iran maintain diplomatic ties, Porvali noted that the bilateral relationship is not in a state of dramatic change, and the focus remains on preventing external threats.

“The concern is not about diplomacy but about the potential for foreign-sponsored violence targeting dissidents in Finland,” he said.

Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi