Two men accused of conducting surveillance on Jewish and Israeli targets in Britain on behalf of Iran pleaded not guilty in a London court Friday, October 9, in another case involving alleged Iranian intelligence operations against Jewish communities in Western countries. The proceedings come as Canadian intelligence agencies have warned that Iranian linked organizations may be using criminal networks to carry out attacks against Jewish institutions in Canada.
Nematollah Shahsavani, 41, a dual Iranian and British citizen, and Alireza Farasati, 22, an Iranian national, appeared before London’s Old Bailey charged under Britain’s National Security Act. Prosecutors allege the two men gathered information and conducted reconnaissance on several locations between July and August 2025, including the Israeli Embassy, the Israeli Consulate and Bevis Marks Synagogue, the oldest synagogue in Britain. Judge Bobbie Cheema-Grubb also identified an unnamed individual described as being of intelligence interest to Iran among the alleged targets.
Both men have denied the allegations and have been remanded in custody. Their next court appearance is scheduled for February, with a trial expected to begin in April 2027.
The proceedings follow another British case involving two Iranian nationals accused of preparing a terrorist attack against Manchester’s Jewish community. Prosecutors allege that Rahman Salehi, 34, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36, conducted surveillance on Heaton Park Synagogue and the Manchester Jewish Museum while receiving instructions from an individual believed to be in Iran. Authorities allege the operation involved plans to manufacture an explosive device using commercially available chemicals. The two men have been charged with preparing acts of terrorism.
The British investigations come amid intelligence warnings in Canada concerning Iranian involvement in attacks against Jewish institutions. In July, the Montreal Jewish News reported on a federal intelligence assessment identifying Iranian linked organizations and criminal networks as part of a growing threat to Jewish communities. The assessment, prepared by Canada’s Integrated Threat Assessment Centre and obtained by Global News, warned that organizations connected to Iran would likely continue directing threats against Jewish communities and Israeli and American interests in Canada and other Western countries.
Canadian intelligence officials have expressed particular concern about the use of local criminals to carry out attacks, potentially allowing foreign organizations to select targets, arrange financing and direct operations without exposing the people responsible. American authorities have also charged an Iranian and Iraqi national accused of helping coordinate attacks against Jewish and Israeli targets in Europe and Canada. Those allegations remain before the courts.
Montreal has already experienced shootings and attempted arson attacks against Jewish schools and synagogues, including the December 2024 attack on Congregation Beth Tikvah and a nearby Federation CJA building. The man responsible, Mohamed Ilyess Akodad, told a Montreal court that he had been offered $15,000 to carry out the attacks and had been supplied with transportation and materials. The people he said hired him have not been publicly identified, and investigators have not established a connection between that attack and Iran.
European authorities have been investigating other networks accused of preparing attacks against Jewish communities. In July, the Montreal Jewish News reported on Hamas operations uncovered across Europe, including weapons caches, arms trafficking and alleged preparations for attacks against Jewish and Israeli targets. Those investigations involve a separate organization and have not been connected to the Iranian surveillance allegations now before the British courts.
The latest court proceedings also come three months after Britain announced a major expansion of police protection for Jewish communities. The government committed £251 million over three years to increase patrols around Jewish neighbourhoods, schools and synagogues, strengthen counterterrorism policing and improve the investigation of threats against Jewish institutions. The Montreal Jewish News previously examined the differences between Britain’s policing strategy and Canada’s approach, which continues to rely heavily on security grants administered through federal programs.
Canadian authorities have not identified any connection between the men appearing in the British courts and attacks or suspected plots in Canada. Iran has repeatedly denied involvement in hostile intelligence operations in Britain.
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