Katz claims Iran, ‘radical Islam’ behind attack on French railways, but France points to ‘criminal’ motive

Foreign Minister Israel Katz claims that the malicious acts of sabotage committed across France’s high-speed railway this morning were carried out “under the influence of Iran’s axis of evil and radical Islam.”

Katz says he warned his French counterpart this week “based on information held by Israel” that Iran was “planning terrorist attacks against the Israeli delegation and all Olympic participants.

“Increased preventive measures must be taken to thwart their plot,” he adds. “The free world must stop Iran now – before it’s too late.”

The sabotage of railway infrastructure across France ahead of the @Paris2024 Olympics was planned and executed under the influence of Iran's axis of evil and radical Islam. As I warned my French counterpart @steph_sejourne this week, based on information held by Israel, Iranians…

— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) July 26, 2024

French intelligence services have said it is not yet clear who was behind the attacks on the railways, which have caused widespread chaos hours before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Two security officials say, however, that initial suspicions fell on hardline leftists or environmental activists, and that the attacks were likely “criminal acts” rather than part of a terror plot.

French officials have also said there was no direct link between the sabotage and the Olympic games.

The crimes could carry sentences of 15-20 years.