Two Iranian nationals appeared in a London court on Thursday accused of spying on Jewish targets on behalf of Tehran, including carrying out reconnaissance of sites such as a synagogue.
Nematollah Shahsavani, 40, a dual Iranian-British citizen, and Alireza Farasati, 22, an Iranian national, are charged under the National Security Act 2023 with engaging in contact likely to assist a foreign intelligence service between July 9 and August 15, 2025.
Prosecutors said the pair were suspected of assisting Iranian intelligence by conducting hostile surveillance of locations linked to the Israeli and Jewish community, including the Israeli embassy, a Jewish community centre, and the Bevis Marks Synagogue—Britain’s oldest.
The two men appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court after being arrested on March 6 and were remanded in custody. They are due to appear at London’s Old Bailey on April 17. No pleas were entered.
Two other men arrested in connection with the case were later released without charge.
The case comes amid growing concern across Europe over suspected Iran-linked activity targeting Jewish communities.
In the Netherlands, authorities are investigating a series of blasts targeting Jewish sites in Rotterdam and Amsterdam. Four youths have been arrested in connection with the incidents, which caused minor damage and no injuries. The Dutch justice minister said investigators are examining possible links to Iran, adding that the suspects may have been “recruited” to carry out the attacks.
In Norway, authorities are also examining whether Iran may be connected to a recent bombing outside the United States embassy in Oslo.
British security officials have repeatedly warned of a rising threat. In October 2025, MI5 chief Ken McCallum said agencies had tracked “more than 20 potentially lethal Iran-backed plots” in the previous year.
