Eurovision terror fears ‘highest EVER’ with ‘two-fold’ threat from Iran and ISIS as fans warned not to go

A RING of steel is being erected in Vienna as fears of terrorist attacks are “the highest ever” ahead of this weekend’s Eurovision.

Hundreds of security personnel and ruthless K9 dogs have been deployed across the Austrian capital for the opening ceremony today, after a “lockdown phase” around Stadthalle, where the 70th Song Contest will kick off in hours.

A police officer walks with a K9 unit in Vienna Credit: Reuters

Underneath all the glitz and glam, the danger is more real than ever – and The Sun has been told that the risks “might elevate”.

Dr Nicolas Stockhammer, a counter-terror expert at the Danube University Krems, pointed the finger at ISIS and its global network of fanatics, as well as Iran and its proxies, as the main threats – alongside “sleeper cells”.

“This kind of a massive event takes all necessary preparations … on site immediately, but also in preventing any potential terrorist plots,” he told The Sun.

“This requires international cooperation with intelligence services and law enforcement bodies, which is happening.

The official opening of the stage at the Wiener Stadthalle prior to the 70th Eurovision Song Contest Credit: AFP

Police officers pose for a photo with K9 units after presenting security measures ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest Credit: Reuters

“One major threat is potential attacks in the public viewing zones that are much more difficult to secure than the stadium site, which can be secured in a better manner, but also there is always the possibility that a terrorist attack might happen.

“Austrian authorities have learnt from the three Taylor Swift concerts that had to be cancelled in 2024 [because of a terrorism plot by Islamic State followers].”

Stockhammer said that police will have “a very serious threat awareness” that will play into how this major security operation around is managed.

What he described as the “most likely scenario” could include a low-level terrorist attack on Eurovision, involving cut and thrust weapons or a car rampage.

A Mossad agent agent standing proud in front of Israel’s flag Credit: Getty

Police officers seen walking towards protesters against the World Football Qualifiers match, between Italy vs Israel Credit: Alamy

An attack with improvised explosive devices is also a “possibility,” but not as likely, he said.

“Security services are preparing for a scale of threats,” Stockhammer said, revealing that the focus will be on open-air public viewing areas and the venue itself.

He added: “All these attractive points from the terrorists’ perspective are the focus.”

Fears of a new wave of terrorism in the West have been mounting since the start of the Iran war in February and the assassination of Iran‘s leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Islamic state fighters on the border between Syria and Iraq Credit: Alamy

Islamic State of Iraq propaganda photo Credit: Alamy

Historically, the Islamic Republic has unleashed asymmetric attacks as a key component of its terror apparatus, unleashing criminal surrogates and proxies.

The Washington Institute for Near East Policy recorded as many as 157 cases of Iranian foreign operations in the last five years, 27 of which were plots in the US, and 54 targeting Europe between 2021 and 2024. 

ISIS has also been growing in strength posing major security risks to the US and Europe.

Israel’s participation in Eurovision – which has led to Ireland, Iceland, Slovenia, Spain and the Netherlands boycotting the competition over the war in Gaza and also allegations of vote rigging in 2025 – is “an additional threat factor”.

The Israeli delegation, including backup dancers and support staff, arrived in the Austrian capital under heavy security amid expected protests.

Shin Bet (Israel’s Security Agency) continues to be in charge of guarding the performers and crew, local media has reported.

Protecting them will be “one of the major challenges” for security forces, Stockhammer warned.

The Sun also spoke with Oded Ailam, who served for Mossad, the Israeli foreign intelligence agency, for 24 years, eventually becoming the director of the Counter-terrorism Centre. 

He confirmed that Israeli agents “will be joining” the mission in Vienna – and described the operations as “multiple layers of security surrounding them 24/7.”

“Every single step” will be monitored – and agents will be on “high alert” at all times.

Such a massive operation will be a “headache” for the various intelligence services in Vienna, as well as the police, Ailam added.

He described Eurovision as “the dream” opportunity for any terrorist group looking to gain as much traction and publicity as there are many different opportunities to create a “spectacle terror act.”

“This is almost one of the rare opportunities for terrorists to strike,” he said.

Shuddering at the memory of the 1992 Israeli Embassy bombing and the 1994 Jewish community centre attack in Buenos Aires, he admitted that “a suicide driver carrying a car full of explosives” is a possibility.

Explaining what the situation on the ground could entail, he added: “The other possibility is that a terror group shoots people indiscriminately outside the building, or even tries to penetrate inside.

“We are talking about [an event in] 2026, and there is a new player in town, which is the drone … They can send a swarm of drones into the place.

“It is very, very difficult to detect them and to facilitate any sort of ‘iron dome or iron shield’ against them.

“They can be mounted on a car, on a truck … and they can be launched from different sides simultaneously.

“It will be almost impossible – that is if you do not have prior intelligence – to approach it in real time.

“And they can cause quite a lot of damage as each one of those drones can carry a small amount of explosive, but altogether combined, they can be very harmful.”

Beran A, one of the men suspected of planning an attack on Taylor Swift’s Vienna concert in 2024 Credit: Reuters

Security personnel stand guard on the day of a trial of the two men suspected of being Islamic State (IS) supporters, who were planning an attack on the gigs Credit: Reuters

Israel will perform at the first semi-final on May 12, alongside Croatia, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Portugal, Moldova, Sweden, Belgium, Estonia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Poland, San Marino and Serbia.

The second semi-final on May 14 will see performances from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Romania, Switzerland, Albania, Australia, Cyprus, Denmark, Latvia, Malta, Norway and Ukraine.

Then, the final will be held on May 16.

A handful ⁠of protests have been ​registered ⁠so far for next week, and up to 3,000 are expected to attend. Protests must be registered with 48 hours’ notice.

Xenia Zauner, a senior police official who will oversee the security operation, told a press conference earlier this week: “We expect there will in fact be blockades and disruptive actions, particularly on the ‌day of the final, whether through authorised or unauthorised ‌gatherings.”

Vienna police Vice President Dieter Csefan said that while the “terrorism alert ⁠level” in Austria has been at the second-highest notch for more than ⁠two years, there is no specific threat against the contest.

Police confirmed that drones will be banned within 0.9 miles of sites – as well as the main venue.

Meanwhile, the US Federal Bureau ‌of Investigation will set up a task force in New York next ​week that Austrian authorities can contact around the clock to address cyber ‌threats.

Those attending ‌Eurovision should expect strict ​international airport-level security screenings, and can only ‌bring small, transparent bags inside.

This will also be the situation at the large fan area in front of city hall, police added.