Two men have been charged with spying for Iran over alleged surveillance of the Jewish community in London, police said.

Nematollah Shahsavani, 40, a dual British-Iranian national, and Alireza Farasati, 22, an Iranian national, have been charged with engaging in contact that is likely to assist a foreign intelligence service between 9 July 2025 and 15 August 2025, contrary to section 3 of the National Security Act 2023.

They were arrested on 6 March after a counter-terrorism investigation. They are due to appear at Westminster magistrates court on Thursday.

The Met deputy assistant commissioner, Vicki Evans, who is senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said: “These are extremely serious charges under the National Security Act, which have come about following what has been a very complex investigation.

“Since the men were arrested two weeks ago, detectives have been working around the clock to gather and assess the evidence and we have liaised closely with colleagues in the CPS to reach this point.

“We fully recognise that the public – and in particular the Jewish community – will be concerned but I hope this investigation reassures them that we will not hesitate to take action if we identify there may be a threat to their safety.”

Two other men who were arrested on 6 March as part of the investigation were released without charge.