The arrest of Rashad Sultanov in London ties to Britain’s first overseas National Security Act investigation led by counter-terrorism police into incidents at RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus between May and June of the previous year, with Sultanov held in custody as extradition proceedings proceed.

Sultanov, a 44-year-old from Islington, London, is accused of spying on the UK military base at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus on behalf of Iran, including carrying out hostile surveillance.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps has threatened attacks on British bases used by US forces and related tensions have affected Akrotiri, including a March Shahed drone incident and other reported Iranian missile activity.

In August, the man’s lawyer argued the arrest was illegal, challenging the admissibility of warrants based on undocumented and unverified foreign information.

The report cites The Jerusalem Post as a source for detention and investigation details.

Iran considered a symbolic missile strike on a Ukrainian port after an attack on a Caspian Sea merchant ship but halted plans following diplomatic engagement with Western partners and Ukraine.

Sultanov previously worked as a taxi driver in Leicester and London and owned Yasamal, a Leicester-based pomegranate juice importer, which has modest net assets and deficits.

RAF Akrotiri was previously damaged by a March attack attributed to Iran, when an Iranian-made drone caused minor damage.

There is an unresolved question whether the Cypriot photo-reported suspect from June 2025 is the same individual; authorities have not disclosed details, and London’s Metropolitan Police did not respond to inquiries.

London’s Metropolitan Police did not confirm whether the Friday arrestee is the same person as the 2025 detainee.

Prosecutors say Sultanov wrote extensive notes and可能 shared information with an IRGC handler; UK legal aid rights ensure a UK lawyer during extradition proceedings.

The case sits within broader regional tensions and UK counterterrorism efforts surrounding Iran and its proxies.