Spy arrest near U.S. base in Crete sparks fears of Iran-linked espionage network

Greek authorities on Monday, June 23, 2025, arrested a 26-year-old Azerbaijani national on suspicion of spying near a key NATO and U.S. military installation on the island of Crete.

The suspect was reportedly surveilling the Souda Bay naval and air base, an essential strategic hub for Western military operations in the eastern Mediterranean.

According to Greek media, the man was apprehended over the weekend after being observed photographing sensitive military sites and monitoring the movement of warships entering and leaving the base.

The arrest was first reported by Greek public broadcaster ERT, which cited police and intelligence sources.

Authorities seized roughly 5,000 images and several videos from the suspect’s devices, fueling suspicions of espionage.

He is expected to appear before a public prosecutor in the coming days.

While officials have not publicly identified the individual, they are investigating potential links to another recent arrest on the nearby island of Cyprus.

Just days earlier, Cypriot authorities detained a man with Azerbaijani roots on allegations of plotting a terrorist attack targeting military infrastructure.

That suspect was reportedly working on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), one of the most powerful arms of the Iranian regime.

According to Cypriot media reports, he had entered the country using a British passport.

The two arrests have raised concerns about a coordinated espionage network operating in the region, particularly as tensions soar in the Middle East.

Both Cyprus and Crete are geographically close to ongoing conflict zones.

Also, they have increasingly served as transit points for U.S. and Israeli military operations amid the rising hostilities with Iran.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar commented over the weekend that the IRGC had attempted to orchestrate a terrorist attack targeting Israeli nationals.

This further raised suspicions about Iran’s involvement in cross-border plots.

The growing number of espionage cases has sparked alarm among intelligence communities, particularly in light of the current geopolitical climate.

Since Israel launched a military campaign against Iran-linked targets on July 13, reports of suspected espionage and retaliatory crackdowns have surged.

In Iran, authorities have responded with a wave of arrests and executions targeting individuals accused of collaborating with foreign intelligence services, primarily Israel’s Mossad.

On Monday, Iran’s judiciary announced the execution of Mohammad-Amin Mahdavi Shayesteh, who was convicted of spying for Israel.

Iranian officials claim he also worked with Iran International, a London-based Persian-language news outlet critical of the regime, which Tehran considers to be affiliated with Israeli interests.

Just one day earlier, Iranian state media reported the execution of Majid Mosayebi, also accused of collaborating with Israeli intelligence.

Authorities claim both men were involved in operations that threatened national security.

In a further sign of heightened internal surveillance, Iranian officials revealed on Sunday that three more individuals had been arrested on espionage charges in the western province of Kermanshah.

One of those arrested is believed to be a European national.

Authorities announced that special judicial branches would be created across provincial courts to fast-track espionage cases involving Israeli links.

These trials will reportedly be conducted on an “extraordinary” basis, underscoring the urgency Iran places on counterintelligence operations.

Iran currently ranks as the world’s second most prolific executioner, after China, according to Amnesty International and other human rights groups.

Critics argue that many of the trials are politically motivated and lack due process, particularly in cases involving accusations of foreign collaboration.

The recent arrests in Crete and Cyprus come amid broader concerns that intelligence and military tensions are increasingly spilling beyond traditional Middle Eastern borders.

Analysts warn that with the deepening alliance between Iran and non-state actors, espionage and sabotage efforts may expand to other NATO countries.

As investigations continue, both Greek and Cypriot authorities are reportedly coordinating with international intelligence agencies.

This is supposedly to assess whether these incidents signal a wider covert campaign against Western assets.

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