Iranian authorities have detained a German tourist on suspicion of espionage, according to state-affiliated media, amid growing tensions between Iran and Israel.
The man, reportedly travelling by bicycle, was arrested near a sensitive nuclear site in central Iran.
The Iranian news agency Mehr released video footage showing the arrest, which was carried out by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ intelligence unit in Markazi Province, not far from the Rak nuclear facility.
Iranian officials claim the German national was engaged in recording and transmitting coordinates and locations of sensitive military and nuclear installations, an allegation that could carry severe consequences under Iranian law.
This incident comes at a time of heightened geopolitical strain in the region, following direct military confrontations between Iran and Israel. The arrest has further complicated diplomatic relations between Tehran and Berlin.
In a related development, Germany’s Foreign Ministry has temporarily withdrawn its embassy staff from Tehran due to the escalating regional conflict. German broadcaster ARD reported that deployed personnel have been relocated outside Iran, while family members of embassy staff had already departed earlier.
The German Foreign Ministry stated that the decision was made in alignment with precautionary actions taken by allied nations and that coordination is ongoing.
Despite the evacuation, the German Embassy in Tehran remains operational through mobile fieldwork and continues to provide consular assistance to German nationals still in the country.
Berlin has advised German citizens remaining in Iran to consider overland exit routes should the security situation deteriorate further.
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