Overview
- New reporting describes a dispute between Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government and intelligence chiefs over how strongly to warn the public about possible Iran-directed attacks.
- Federal spokespeople reject claims of a split, while the Interior Ministry says indicators of Iranian planning in Germany have increased.
- Security services have tightened guard at Israeli, Jewish and American locations, and the domestic intelligence service set up a reporting center for cross-border intimidation of dissidents.
- Analysts and lawmakers say Iranian networks tap organized-crime groups and recruit low-paid “disposable” agents on social media for arson, sabotage and surveillance, with a new group called HAYI claiming recent attacks in Benelux and Britain.
- A Wirtschaftswoche report, cited by German outlets, alleges dozens of Iran-directed operations were foiled in Germany, including assassination plots, a claim still under verification.