Two Men Deny Spying for Iran Against Israeli Targets in London

Two men accused of acting on behalf of Iran to conduct surveillance on the Israeli Embassy in London, a Jewish synagogue in Britain, and other Israeli or Jewish targets pleaded not guilty on Friday. Neamatollah Shahsavani, 41, who holds both Iranian and British citizenship, and Ali Reza Ferasati, 22, an Iranian national, appeared at London's Old Bailey court and denied charges of engaging in espionage under the National Security Act. The two men are among several individuals facing separate charges for allegedly working for Iran within Britain. Recently, the UK accused Iran of orchestrating a suspected plot targeting the U.S.-linked RAF Fairford airbase, an incident that led to the arrest and subsequent bail of seven men. Iran has denied any involvement in hostile activities within Britain, including the alleged plot against RAF Fairford, which was followed by the U.S. withdrawal of B-1 bombers from the base. The allegations suggest the two men gathered information and conducted reconnaissance during July and August 2025. Their targets reportedly included the Israeli Embassy, the Israeli Consulate, and the Bevis Marks Synagogue in London. Judge Bobbie Cheema-Grubb noted that the target list also included an unidentified individual considered an "intelligence interest" to Iran.