Two people have been arrested in London on suspicion of assisting Iran’s intelligence service, in the latest case to raise concerns over foreign state activity in the UK.
The Metropolitan Police said a 42-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man were arrested at properties in north and north-west London. Both were held under section three of the National Security Act 2023, which covers assisting a foreign intelligence service.
The arrests followed searches of two properties on June 24, after which detectives carried out further enquiries. The suspects were taken to a London police station but have since been released on bail under strict conditions and are due to be summoned to court in late October.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, sought to reassure the public that there was no immediate danger arising from the investigation.
“We know that news of these arrests will come as a concern to some members of the public, but I want to stress that we do not believe there to be any imminent threat to the wider public in connection with this matter,” she said.
The arrests come as British counter-terrorism authorities face what police describe as a rising level of activity linked to national security and state threats.
“We’ve seen a marked increase in the tempo of our work linked to national security and state threats over the past year and this investigation is a continuation of that,” Flanagan said.
“As we’ve shown here, if we suspect any activity could threaten the safety of the UK or the public, then we will not hesitate to take action.”
The case comes against a backdrop of heightened tensions between Britain and Iran and increased scrutiny of alleged Iranian operations overseas.
Flanagan also reminded the public that Britain’s terrorism threat level remains severe and urged people to report suspicious behaviour.
“I would also like to remind the public that the overall terrorism threat level is at severe, so we continue to ask for everyone’s support through being vigilant, and if you see or hear anything that doesn’t look right, then please, trust your instincts, and report it to us.”
The Met stressed that the investigation was not connected to earlier incidents targeting venues or buildings associated with London’s Jewish and Iranian communities.
It also said the arrests had no connection to activity or events related to the upcoming High Holy Days period.
The force has not disclosed further details of the allegations or the suspected activities of either individual while the investigation continues.
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