Four people are arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran

Police are carrying out searches in London and Hertfordshire today after four men were arrested on suspicion of spying on the Jewish community for Iran. 

The suspects, one Iranian and three dual British-Iranian nationals, were taken into custody by the Metropolitan Police at around 1am this morning. 

The force said the men, aged 22, 40, 52 and 55, were arrested at addresses in Harrow, Watford and Barnet. 

Plain clothes police officers have since been spotted raiding a home in Watford today, after forcing the door open. 

Meanwhile, detectives were also seen checking the engine and undercarriage of a silver-coloured Skoda on a road in Finchley, north London. 

Both operations are believed to be linked to a counter-terror police probe into the suspected surveillance of Jews in London for Iran's intelligence services. 

Another six men, aged 29, 39, 42, 49 and two aged 20, were also arrested at an address in Harrow this morning on suspicion of assisting an offender. 

All ten suspects remain in police custody.

The alleged spying operation is not believed to be linked to the Iran war but comes as the US and Israel escalated the conflict on Friday with heavy bombing raids on Tehran and Lebanon.

Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said: 'Today's arrests are part of a long-running investigation and part of our ongoing work to disrupt malign activity where we suspect it. 

'We understand the public may be concerned, in particular the Jewish community, and as always, I would ask them to remain vigilant and if they see or hear anything that concerns them, then to contact us.'

Rabbi Herschel Gluck, president of Shomrim North and East London, said police patrols have been 'stepped up' since the conflict in Iran began.

He said: 'We all know Iran have cells in this country and has had cells here for a very long time - so this is no surprise.'

Speaking about the arrests, Rabbi Gluck added: 'It certainly should reduce the concerns in the community.

'We have been aware for a long time of the danger of an attack from these cells, which there are a number of in this country, would exponentially increase in the situation we are in at the moment.'

Searches are ongoing at the addresses where the suspects were arrested by counter-terrorism officers, as well as additional properties in Wembley and Barnet.

Six other men were also arrested in Harrow on suspicion of assisting an offender and have been taken into custody, the force said.

A spokesperson for the Community Security Trust (CST), a charity which monitors antisemitism in the UK, said: 'Security is strong across the Jewish community.

'CST thanks Counter Terror Policing London and will not be commenting further at this time.'

The charity Campaign Against Antisemitism criticised the Government's 'failure to keep its promise' to proscribe Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) following the arrests.

A spokesperson for the charity said: 'The UK may not be acting against Iran but Iran is acting against us.

'It is incredible that the Iranian threat, long recognised by British Jews and those paying attention, like the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, is still not being taken seriously by the Government.

'The Government's failure to keep its promise to proscribe the IRGC - the main instrument that the Islamic Republic uses to foment antisemitic violence worldwide - has sent the message that support for the brutal Iranian regime and its Jew-hating and West-hating ideology is perfectly acceptable in Britain.'

The statement added: 'We are grateful to the police for foiling this alleged plot, which underscores the reality in which the Jewish community lives.

'But the security services have to be lucky every time: the plotters only need to get lucky once.

'The Government must give the police the tools they need to tackle this peril and broadcast not weakness but the message that Britain stands against this menace.'

The European Union listed the IRGC as a terror group in January, amid a deadly crackdown on protesters in the country.

This week, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for the UK Government to introduce emergency legislation to proscribe the IRGC as a terrorist organisation, arguing it is 'more desperate and dangerous than ever'.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said on Wednesday in the Commons that the UK is 'working 24/7 on dealing with any threats to this country'.

He added: 'We don't comment on proscription, but we have made the case that there needs to be legislation to deal with state-backed terrorist groups, and we're looking into that.'

Then-home secretary Yvette Cooper announced in May 2025 that powers would be created to proscribe state-backed groups if they are deemed to pose a threat to Britain after recommendations by terror watchdog Jonathan Hall KC.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has said the police and security services 'won't hesitate to take action' after four men were arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran.

Posting on X, she said: 'I want to thank the police and our security services for the action they've taken today to keep Britain safe from a potential threat.

'The Jewish community and the wider public will understandably be concerned by today's arrests. We continue to monitor the situation closely and engage with those affected.

'I can reassure you that our police and security services are world leading and won't hesitate to take action to counter any threat to the UK.

'They will continue to use the full range of tools and powers available to them to keep this country safe. They have the government's full support as they carry out their vital work.

'We must now give them the time and space to continue their investigations.'

Alan Mendoza, director of the Henry Jackson Society, a national security think tank, added: 'Today's counter-terrorism arrests highlight the real and persistent threat posed by hostile Iranian activity on British soil. 

'The Iranian regime has a long track record of using surveillance, intimidation and proxy networks here to pursue dissidents, Jewish communities and other targets.

'The good news is that our security services are disrupting Iranian activity before it turns deadly. The bad news is how often they are having to do it.

'Iran is the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism and has repeatedly demonstrated a willingness to operate far beyond the Middle East. 

'While we must allow the investigation to proceed, Britain cannot afford to underestimate the reach of a hostile state like this prepared to conduct intelligence and potentially violent operations inside our borders.

'Given Iran is involved in hostilities with our allies there should be a firm and kinetic response to this latest attempt by the regime to commit hostilities in the UK.'

Today's arrests come as the conflict in Iran escalated on Friday with the US and Israel launching heavy bombing raids on Tehran and Lebanon.

The alleged spying operation is not believed to be a response to the current war.

Iran's intelligence services, however, have long targeted Jewish and Israeli people living in Britain.

Sir Ken McCallum, the director general of MI5, previously revealed the UK had responded to 20 Iran-backed plots since the start of 2022.

Speaking in October, he said: 'Iran's autocratic regime is frantically trying to silence its opponents around the world, including in the UK.

'Behind the scenes, MI5 and our police partners continue to catch those who are reckless enough to become Iranian pawns.'

Meanwhile, a separate alleged spying case involving three Iranian former asylum seekers remains ongoing.

The men were arrested in London on May 3 last year under the National Security Act.

The trio are alleged to have been helping the Middle Eastern country's intelligence service between August 14, 2024 and February 16, 2025. 

They are due at Woolwich Crown Court next week.