Two men accused of conducting surveillance on behalf of Iran against the Israeli Embassy in London, Britain’s oldest synagogue, and other Israeli and Jewish targets entered not-guilty pleas on Friday.

Nematollah Shahsavani, 41, a dual Iranian-British citizen, and Alireza Farasati, 22, an Iranian national, appeared before London’s Old Bailey court, where both denied a charge brought under the National Security Act.

Prosecutors allege that the two men collected information and carried out reconnaissance during July and August 2025. The reported list of targets included the Israeli Embassy, the Israeli Consulate, and Bevis Marks Synagogue in London.

Iran-Linked Surveillance Allegations Included Individual of Intelligence Interest

Judge Bobbie Cheema-Grubb said the alleged surveillance targets also included an unnamed individual described as being “of intelligence interest” to Iran.

Both defendants were remanded in custody pending their next court appearance, scheduled for February. Their trial is expected to begin in April.

Iran has repeatedly rejected allegations that it is involved in hostile activities in Britain. However, British authorities say such activity has increased significantly since Hamas’s October 2023 attacks on Israel, which led to the subsequent war in Gaza.