Full Breakdown
British Dual National Arrested for Alleged Iranian Spy Activity at RAF Akrotiri
8/1/2026, 12:39:03 PM
Alleged Hostile Surveillance and Arrest
British counter-terrorism police say Rashad Sultanov, 44, a dual British-Azerbaijani citizen from Islington, was arrested by Cypriot authorities on July 17. He is accused of conducting “hostile surveillance” of RAF Akrotiri, the United Kingdom’s principal air base in Cyprus, and passing the intelligence to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised charges under the National Security Act 2023, the first application of the legislation to alleged offences committed in an overseas territory. Sultanov remains in custody in Cyprus while extradition proceedings to the United Kingdom move forward.
Background and Strategic Context
RAF Akrotiri, one of two British Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus, serves as a forward operating hub for RAF missions across the Middle East. Since early 2025 the base has been used to launch intercepts of Iranian missiles and drones, and a Shahed-type drone caused slight damage on March 2, 2025. Iran’s IRGC has warned that any British facility used by U.S. forces could be a legitimate target.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 11 2025 | Start of the surveillance period alleged against Sultanov (investigation led by Counter-Terrorism Policing London). |
| June 22 2025 | End of the alleged surveillance period. |
| July 17 2026 | Sultanov arrested in Cyprus; extradition request submitted by the United Kingdom. |
| July 31 2026 | Britain formally asks Cyprus to extradite Sultanov (Reuters). |
Official Statements & Responses
- Crown Prosecution Service: Charges will be brought under sections 3 and 4 of the National Security Act, addressing espionage linked to hostile state activity.
- Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter-Terrorism Policing London: Highlighted the case as evidence of the UK’s ability to apply the National Security Act abroad and praised the partnership with Cypriot law-enforcement agencies.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This case shows we are able to use the National Security Act overseas when British military bases are allegedly targeted by hostile state activity,” — Cmdr. Helen Flanagan, Counter-Terrorism Policing London
Data & Statistics
- Age and nationality: Rashad Sultanov, 44, holds British and Azerbaijani citizenship.
- Surveillance window: May 11 to June 22 2025.
- Legal milestone: First prosecution under the 2023 National Security Act for alleged offences committed outside the United Kingdom.
Why It Matters
The arrest highlights the reach of Iran’s IRGC intelligence network into the Mediterranean and tests the United Kingdom’s new legal tools for counter-espionage. Invoking the National Security Act overseas signals a willingness to pursue state-sponsored spying on foreign soil, reinforcing cooperation with allied nations that host UK military installations.
What’s Next
Cypriot courts will consider the UK’s extradition request, after which Sultanov could face trial in Britain on charges of hostile surveillance and unlawful disclosure of classified information to a foreign intelligence service. The outcome may set precedent for future use of the National Security Act in overseas contexts.
