Germany on alert for Iranian 'sleeper cell' attacks after Khamenei's death
Germany expects Iranian agents' attacks (photo: Getty Images)
Germany is preparing for possible attacks from Iranian agents and "sleeper cells" across Europe, amid heightened tensions following the US and Israeli strike that resulted in Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's death, according to Reuters.
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Terror threat in Europe
Mark Heinrichmann, head of Germany's parliamentary control panel for the secret services, warned that attacks from Iranian "sleeper cells" cannot be ruled out.
He called for adapting security measures to meet these new challenges.
"The Iranian regime has repeatedly demonstrated in the past that it carries out its terror beyond its own borders," Henrichmann told the Sueddeutsche Zeitung paper.
Risks for Europe
Germany also expects an increased threat to Jewish communities. Germany's Antisemitism Commissioner Felix Klein warned that Tehran may attempt to use its agent networks directly within Europe.
"It is to be expected that Iran will use its networks in this country to carry out terrorist attacks against Jewish and Israeli institutions," Commissioner Klein told the Funke media group on Sunday.
Ali Khamenei's death
Tensions around Iran escalated after initial reports suggested that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei may have been killed in the US and Israeli airstrikes on February 28.
Official sources later confirmed Khamenei's death as a result of the joint operation, prompting US President Donald Trump to address the Iranian people.
In addition to the leader himself, four members of Khamenei's family present at the time were also killed.
Following these events, Iran's crown prince Reza Pahlavi made a harsh statement calling for the dismantling of the regime and a transition to democratic governance in the country.
