Germany Summons Iranian Ambassador Over Alleged Espionage Targeting Jewish Institutions

Germany’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Iranian ambassador in Berlin on Tuesday following the arrest of a Danish national suspected of conducting espionage activities on behalf of Iranian intelligence. The alleged surveillance targeted Jewish organizations and individuals in the German capital.

In a statement published on X (formerly Twitter), the Foreign Ministry emphasized: “We will not tolerate any threats against the Jewish community in Germany,” adding that a thorough investigation into the allegations against the suspect—believed to be operating under the direction of Tehran—was imperative.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, speaking during a visit to the Ukrainian city of Odesa, described the incident as alarming. He stressed that confirmation of the accusations would serve as further evidence of the broader threat Iran poses to Jewish communities worldwide.

According to the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Danish suspect, identified as “Ali S.,” was apprehended last Thursday in the city of Aarhus, Denmark. Investigators allege that he received directives from an Iranian intelligence agency to gather information on Jewish sites and individuals in Berlin.

The prosecution noted that in June, Ali S. reportedly surveilled three locations linked to the Jewish community. Authorities believe these reconnaissance efforts were intended to support broader intelligence operations, potentially including planned attacks against Jewish targets within Germany.

German news outlet Der Spiegel reported that the suspect had taken photographs of the German-Israeli Society’s headquarters in Berlin. The investigation suggests a possible link between the individual and the Quds Force—the external operations arm of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which is tasked with overseas missions.

This case follows a number of similar incidents. In September of last year, German police shot a young Austrian national suspected of planning an attack on the Israeli consulate in Munich. Later in 2023, a German court sentenced an Iranian-German citizen for plotting to attack a synagogue in the city of Bochum, allegedly in coordination with Iranian government-affiliated entities, according to official sources.

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