UK Summons Iranian Ambassador Over Spy Charges Against Two Men

Britain has summoned Iran's ambassador after two men -- one Iranian, one dual national -- were charged in London for allegedly conducting hostile surveillance of Jewish targets, including the Israeli embassy and Britain's oldest synagogue, on behalf of Iran's intelligence services. UK Summons Iranian Ambassador Over Espionage Charges Involving UK Jewish Targets Espionage Charges and Diplomatic Response LONDON, March 23 (Reuters) - Britain said on Monday the Iranian ambassador to the UK had been summoned after an Iranian national and one British-Iranian dual national were charged last week on suspicion of helping Iran's intelligence services. Details of the Espionage Allegations The two men appeared in a London court last week accused of being involved in gathering information and undertaking reconnaissance of Jewish targets in Britain given ⁠to them by Iranian spy services over five weeks last summer. Government and Security Agency Statements "National security remains our top priority, and we take threats posed by Iran and those who do its bidding extremely seriously," Britain's foreign office said in a statement. "This government will take all measures necessary to protect the British people, including exposing Iran's reckless and destabilising actions at home and abroad." Profiles of the Accused The men Nematollah Shahsavani, 40, a dual Iranian-British national, and Alireza Farasati, an Iranian national, 22, were asked to carry out hostile surveillance on the Israeli Embassy, Britain's oldest synagogue and other Jewish targets, prosecutors said. Court Proceedings and Next Steps They did not enter a plea and were remanded in custody until their next hearing at London's Old Bailey Court on April 17. Background: Ongoing Threats from Iran British lawmakers and the domestic spy agency MI5 have long warned of threats posed by Iran, with accusations that Tehran was behind more than 20 suspected kidnap and assassination plots. (Reporting by Elizabeth Piper; writing by Muvija M; editing by Michael Holden)