British citizen detained for allegedly spying on Cyprus RAF base for Iran
A 44-year-old British man with dual Azerbaijani citizenship was arrested in Cyprus on suspicion of conducting hostile surveillance of RAF Akrotiri and passing the data to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
Cypriot police detained Rashad Sultanov, a 44-year-old British national who also holds Azerbaijani citizenship, on 17 July for alleged espionage targeting the RAF Akrotiri base. Investigators allege that from 11 May to 22 June 2025 he carried out hostile surveillance of the installation and transmitted the intelligence to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. The Crown Prosecution Service intends to bring charges under the National Security Act, the first instance of the 2023 law being applied outside the UK.
The investigation was coordinated by Counter Terrorism Policing London and involved the National Crime Agency, as well as Cypriot authorities. Commander Helen Flanagan highlighted the case as proof that the UK can use the new security legislation to protect overseas bases. Sultanov remains in Cypriot custody while extradition to the United Kingdom proceeds.
Why it matters
The case shows how the UK is extending its new security law to counter foreign espionage against its overseas military assets.
How the sides frame it
HIGH AGREEMENTAll camps report the same basic facts of a British-Azerbaijani man arrested in Cyprus on suspicion of spying for Iran, with no substantive disagreement.
LEFT
Frames the story around a London-based individual arrested for alleged espionage, highlighting his dual nationality and the Iran link.
CENTER
Frames the story as a British citizen detained abroad, emphasizing the use of the National Security Act outside the UK and the coordination of UK and Cypriot authorities.
RIGHT
Frames the story as a suspect arrested for spying on a UK base, stressing the espionage allegation and the significance of the first overseas National Security Act investigation.
The left emphasises
- Rashad Sultanov is a 44-year-old UK-Azerbaijani national residing in London
- He is accused of hostile surveillance of RAF Akrotiri and passing intelligence to Iran’s IRGC
- Arrest took place in Cyprus on 17 July
The right emphasises
- Man suspected of spying on a British air base for Iran
- Arrested by Cypriot authorities and held pending extradition
- Described as Britain’s first overseas National Security Act investigation
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