Overview

• Iran confirmed the detention of a German tourist accused of spying and released video footage of his arrest and alleged transmission of coordinates of sensitive military and nuclear sites.
• The cyclist was arrested near the Arak nuclear facility in 2024 and is being held in Tehran’s Evin prison, which is known for harsh conditions.
• The footage emerged soon after Iran’s foreign minister met European counterparts in Geneva to discuss the 2015 nuclear deal and possible sanctions reinstatement.
• Germany’s embassy in Tehran is pressing for clarification and access to the detainee, and the German Foreign Office has long warned against travel to Iran due to detention risks.
• The case underscores a pattern of Iran detaining foreign nationals on espionage grounds and using them as bargaining chips in diplomatic negotiations.