Two suspects plead not guilty of surveilling Israeli embassy in London on behalf of Iran

Two men accused of conducting hostile surveillance on the Israeli Embassy in London, Britain's oldest synagogue, and other Israeli or Jewish targets on behalf of Iran pleaded not guilty at the Old Bailey. Nematollah Shahsavani, 41, and Alireza Farasati, 22, denied a single offense under the National Security Act. The case is part of a broader pattern of alleged Iranian hostile activity in Britain since October 2023.

Two men accused of conducting hostile surveillance on behalf of Iran against the Israeli Embassy in London, Britain's oldest synagogue, and other Israeli or Jewish targets pleaded not guilty on Friday at London's Old Bailey court. Nematollah Shahsavani, a 41-year-old dual Iranian-British national, and Alireza Farasati, a 22-year-old Iranian national, denied a single offense under the National Security Act. The pair are alleged to have gathered information and undertaken reconnaissance in July and August 2025, with a list of targets including the Israeli Embassy, the Israeli Consulate, and London's Bevis Marks Synagogue. Judge Bobbie Cheema-Grubb said one of the alleged targets also included an unnamed individual "of intelligence interest" to Iran. After they were charged in March, Britain's Foreign Office said it had summoned Iran's ambassador to the UK. Shahsavani and Farasati were remanded in custody ahead of their next court appearance in February, with their trial due to begin in April. The case is part of a broader pattern of alleged Iranian hostile activity in Britain, which authorities say has markedly increased since the Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023. Iran has repeatedly denied involvement.