By By Elizabeth Ugbo
Four men were arrested in London, United Kingdom, on Friday for allegedly spying on people and locations linked to the Jewish community on behalf of Iran. Counterterrorism officers from the Metropolitan Police Service carried out the arrests at three addresses across the capital. Authorities said the suspects include one Iranian national and three dual British-Iranians. Investigators believe the group gathered intelligence for Iran’s security services.
Counterterrorism Police Lead Investigation
Counterterrorism units from the Metropolitan Police Service arrested the suspects as part of an ongoing investigation.
Officials said the men allegedly conducted surveillance on sites and individuals connected to London’s Jewish community. Authorities continue to review evidence collected during the operation.
Meanwhile, police also detained six other men at one of the locations. Officers suspect them of assisting an offender. They remain in custody while investigators question them.
Police Urge Jewish Community to Remain Vigilant
Authorities acknowledged concerns within the Jewish community after the arrests.
Police urged residents to stay alert and report suspicious activity immediately.
Officials said community safety remains a priority as the investigation continues. They also stressed that security agencies closely monitor potential foreign threats.
MI5 Warns of Rising Iran-Linked Threats
Britain’s domestic intelligence agency, MI5, has repeatedly warned about Iranian activity in the country.
According to MI5 Director General Ken McCallum, security agencies tracked more than 20 potentially lethal Iran-backed plots in the past year.
Investigators say suspected targets often include Iranian dissidents, journalists and critics of the Tehran government living in the UK.
Investigation Described as Long-Running
The head of UK counterterrorism policing, Helen Flanagan, confirmed the operation formed part of a long-running investigation.
She said authorities remain committed to identifying foreign intelligence threats operating inside the United Kingdom.
Security agencies continue to assess whether the suspects had wider connections to Iranian networks.
