IRGC-affiliated outlet says possible US-Iran memo not finalized

Counter Terrorism Policing London said Ioannis Aidinidis, 46, who lives in Munich, Germany, was charged under section 3(2) of the National Security Act 2023.

Aidinidis was due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court later Friday.

Police said a 46-year-old man was arrested in West Sussex on May 16 by detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing London, with support from officers from Counter Terrorism Policing South East.

He was detained under section 27 of the National Security Act 2023 and taken to a London police station. Police said warrants for further detention were obtained from Westminster Magistrates’ Court, allowing him to remain in custody until May 30, before charges were authorized after liaison with the Crown Prosecution Service.

The Metropolitan Police said officers did not believe there was any wider threat to the public in relation to the case.

“We know this may cause concern for many people here in the UK, and particularly those working in Persian-language media,” Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said.

She said police were continuing to work with organizations and individuals to provide safety and security advice, including the person and organization linked to the investigation.

Police said Counter Terrorism Policing continues to work with Persian-language media organizations and others in Britain over threats projected into the UK from Iran.

The case comes amid continued security concerns around Iran International and its staff in Britain.

In a separate case, three people were charged in April over an alleged attempted arson attack on premises linked to the broadcaster in northwest London. Police said that incident caused no damage or injuries.

Two Romanian men are also on trial in London over the 2024 stabbing of Iran International presenter Pouria Zeraati near his home in Wimbledon. British prosecutors have told the court the attack was ordered by a third party acting on behalf of the Iranian state. Tehran has denied involvement.

Iran’s state broadcaster said 24 ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz over the past 24 hours with coordination from the IRGC Navy and Iran’s Foreign Ministry.

A state TV reporter in the Strait of Hormuz cited the IRGC Navy’s public relations office as saying the number of ships authorized to pass through the waterway was higher, but only a set number were allowed to transit each day to prevent maritime congestion and ensure vessel safety.

“Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has accelerated compared with previous weeks and months, but it has not yet returned to pre-war conditions,” the reporter said.

The reporter also said ships belonging to hostile countries and military vessels were not allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

Ahmad Alamolhoda, the Friday prayer leader of Mashhad, said there were no traitors at the Islamic Republic’s decision-making levels, while warning diplomats against showing friendliness toward the enemy.

Alamolhoda said some officials may suffer from negligence, lack of awareness or poor judgment, but added that “there is no betrayal.”

He said he hoped officials in the diplomatic field would act like military forces on the battlefield.

“This enemy is the killer of Ali Khamenei,” Alamolhoda said. “It is not right to shake hands with it and smile.”

Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for Iran’s parliament National Security Committee, said what he called Iranian management of the Strait of Hormuz had become established internationally, adding that countries now seek permission, pay fees and cross the waterway under IRGC Navy guidance.

Writing on X, Rezaei said President Donald Trump was the only person who had either not accepted or did not want to accept that reality.

“Every now and then he sends his army to open the strait. They come, get beaten and go back,” Rezaei wrote.

He also addressed US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent directly, telling him to stop what he called “extra bluster” and instead think about “bowing to the power of Iranians in the Persian Gulf.”

The remarks came as the Strait of Hormuz remains central to US-Iran negotiations, with Tehran framing control of the waterway as leverage and Washington insisting it must remain open to international shipping.

Messages sent to Iran International point to a renewed wave of security and social pressure in several Iranian cities, as prospects for a possible agreement and the continuation of the ceasefire between the Islamic Republic, Israel and the United States have become more serious.

According to the messages, morality patrol activity has resumed in cities including Isfahan, Rasht and Anzali, with officers targeting not only women over mandatory hijab but also men whose clothing is deemed outside official norms, including those wearing shorts.

Several messages said people had been detained and taken to police vans over clothing-related cases. Citizens also reported that officers were photographing people in public spaces.

One person said plainclothes agents in Isfahan had been warning women and girls in the streets over their clothing and putting them under pressure.

In Rafsanjan, one citizen said that after women supporting the government confronted her over hijab, armed officers later went to nearby locations looking for her.

Messages from other areas also pointed to wider controls, including checks of citizens’ mobile phones.

The accounts come alongside reports of shop closures in Rasht over hijab-related cases.

In Arak, a women’s sports club was reportedly sealed after security forces entered the premises and arrested several coaches.