The Marco Polo operation refers to a counterterrorism investigation conducted both in France and Germany revealing an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) cell accused of plotting attacks targeting Jewish individuals, Israeli-linked businesses, and associated targets in Europe.
Since the mid 2010s European intelligence services have been monitoring Iranian undercover activities, specifically those by the IRGC, that is responsible for external operations in European countries. [1] [2] According to analysts, in recent years Iran has expanded its operations abroad by using criminal networks to carry out assaults targeting dissidents, Jewish institutions, and Israeli linked businesses. France and Germany have reported that since 2017 there were multiple attempts and foiled attacks by the Iranian intelligence and proxies targeting the large Iranian diaspora communities there and Israeli linked enterprises. the codename Marco Polo appeared in DGSI documents. [3] [4] [5]
The DSSI started an investigation in late 2023, in which they tracked two people suspected of acting on behalf of Iranian interests. The two that were arrested in 2024, were known to the press as “Abdelkrim S.” and “Sabrina B.” [6] [7] According to reports they were recruited to conduct reconnaissance on Jewish community sites, Israeli-owned businesses, and associated personnel in both France and Germany. [7] [8] [9] Investigators linked them to a series of arson attacks on companies with ties to Israel in southern France, and that they made several trips to Germany to search for additional targets. [7] [8] [9]
The two were charged with participation in a criminal terrorist conspiracy. French intelligence assessments cited by EIC suggested that the cell had planned further attacks, although during interrogation the two denied the allegations, claiming their activities were part of unrelated criminal schemes, including insurance fraud. [7] [10]
Leaked intelligence reports attributed the following operational aims to the cell:
The documents claimed that the cell’s handlers sought to minimize direct exposure by outsourcing surveillance and execution phases to local criminals. [6] [8] [10]
The plot came to the public's attention during the 7-8 September 2024, as Mediapart and the European Investigative Collaborations (EIC) network published details from the ongoing investigation. International outlets such as AFP, VOA, Haaretz, and Iran International subsequently reported on the case, citing intelligence sources and judicial records. [7] According to analysts specializing in Iranian covert activity the Marco Polo affair is another part of growing evidence of the broader shift in Tehran’s foreign operations toward conducting violent acts using criminals or “contractors” rather than official operatives. [1] [7] [3] [2]