Turkish authorities detain six people on suspicion of spying for Iran

Turkish authorities detain six people on suspicion of spying for Iran
Turkish gendarmerie special forces leave the site of an operation against suspected Islamic State militants in Yalova province, Türkiye, December 29, 2025.
Reuters

Turkish state broadcaster TRT reported on Thursday (29 January) that six people had been arrested by Turkish authorities for allegedly conducting espionage activities inside Türkiye.

According to the broadcaster, an Iranian national and five Turkish citizens were detained in a counter-intelligence operation on charges of spying for Iran’s intelligence service.

The operation was carried out in five separate provinces of Türkiye.

TRT reported that the wide-ranging operation had been conducted by the Istanbul public prosecutor’s office in coordination with Istanbul’s police counter-terrorism division and Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT).

Investigators reportedly found that the six suspects had been in contact with intelligence officers from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Turkish authorities claim the suspects had gathered sensitive information on several military installations, including Türkiye’s Incirlik Airbase, which is home to a large U.S. military contingent – in the southern Adana province.

According to authorities cited by TRT, the suspects conducted surveillance on the Incirlik Airbase and helped smuggle unmanned aerial vehicles through Türkiye for intended use against third countries.

The six suspects have since been remanded into custody to be tried on charges of political and military espionage, officials cited by the broadcaster said.

Tehran, for its part, has yet to formally respond to the Turkish allegations.The arrests come amid mounting tensions in the Middle East, including a U.S. military build-up in the region and fears of a looming U.S. attack on Iran.

Türkiye, a NATO member that shares a border with Iran, has said it opposes any foreign military intervention and has urged Washington to resolve its differences with Tehran through negotiations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Istanbul on Friday (30 January) to discuss means of defusing the potential conflict with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan.

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