Two Arrested in London Over Suspected Links to Iran Intelligence

Two Arrested in London Over Suspected Links to Iran Intelligence

LONDON — British counter-terrorism police have arrested two people in London over suspected involvement in activities linked to Iran’s foreign intelligence service, in an ongoing national security investigation.

The Metropolitan Police said a 42-year-old woman was arrested at a residential address in north London, while a 60-year-old man was arrested at a property in north-west London on Wednesday, September 9.

Both suspects were arrested on suspicion of an offence under Section 3 of the UK National Security Act 2023, which covers assisting a foreign intelligence service.

Police said the investigation is linked to Iran, but have not disclosed the specific activities the two suspects are alleged to have carried out.

The arrests followed searches conducted by officers from Counter Terrorism Policing London at residential properties in north-west London on June 24.

According to the police, investigators continued their enquiries after the June searches, eventually leading to Wednesday’s arrests.

A third residential property in north-west London was also searched on Wednesday after the two suspects were arrested.

The two suspects were taken to a London police station for questioning and were later released on bail under strict conditions. Police said they are expected to return at a date in late October.

The Metropolitan Police stressed that the investigation is not connected to a series of incidents and attacks earlier this year targeting venues and buildings linked to Jewish and Iranian communities across London.

The force also said the investigation has no connection with activities or events associated with the upcoming High Holy Days period.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said the arrests should not be interpreted as evidence of an immediate threat to the wider public.

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“We do not believe there to be any imminent threat to the wider public in connection with this matter,” Flanagan said.

She said British authorities had recorded an increase in activity relating to national security and state threats over the past year, adding that the latest investigation formed part of efforts to identify and disrupt potentially hostile activity.

Flanagan also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report anything they consider suspicious, while noting that the UK’s overall terrorism threat level remains severe.

The arrests come amid increased scrutiny by British authorities of suspected foreign state activity in the UK, including allegations that foreign intelligence services have attempted to use individuals inside Britain to conduct surveillance or support other activities.

The National Security Act 2023 strengthened Britain’s legal framework for dealing with espionage, foreign interference and other national-security threats. Under Section 3, assisting a foreign intelligence service can constitute a criminal offence when the conduct meets the requirements set out in the legislation.

The latest investigation follows other cases involving suspected Iranian intelligence activity in Britain.

In March, British counter-terrorism police arrested four men in a separate investigation into suspected assistance to an Iranian foreign intelligence service. That investigation reportedly involved allegations of surveillance targeting locations and individuals connected to London’s Jewish community.

British authorities have repeatedly expressed concern over alleged attempts by Iranian intelligence services to conduct operations against people and organisations in the UK.

However, police have made clear that the September arrests are separate from the earlier incidents involving Jewish and Iranian communities in London.

The two people arrested in the latest investigation have not been charged, and the allegations against them have not been tested in court.

Their arrest does not amount to a finding of guilt, and they remain entitled to due process as the investigation continues.

The Metropolitan Police said officers would continue their enquiries as they examine evidence gathered during the searches and subsequent investigative work.

Two Arrested in London Over Suspected Links to Iran Intelligence