Two men deny carrying out surveillance for Iran of Israeli embassy in UK

Pair are alleged to have gathered information, undertaken reconnaissance in July, August 2025

Two men accused of being tasked ​by Iran to carry out hostile surveillance ‌on the Israeli Embassy in London, Britain's oldest synagogue and other Israeli or Jewish targets pleaded ​not guilty on Friday.

Nematollah Shahsavani, a ​41-year-old dual Iranian-British national, and Alireza Farasati, ⁠a 22-year-old Iranian national, appeared at London's ​Old Bailey court and denied a single offence ​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.

Read: Pentagon prepares 3-day intensive Iran strike option as Trump says no attack before midterms: NYT

Judge Bobbie Cheema-Grubb said one of the alleged targets also included an unnamed individual "of intelligence interest" to Iran.

Shahsavani and Farasati were ​remanded in ​custody ahead ⁠of their next court appearance in February, with their trial due ​to begin in April.

Iran has repeatedly ​denied ⁠involvement in hostile activity in Britain, which authorities say has markedly increased since the Hamas ⁠attacks ​on Israel in October ​2023 that triggered the subsequent war in Gaza.