TEHRAN, Iran — Iranian authorities have arrested Marek Kaufmann, a German-Israeli dual national, on espionage charges after he was allegedly found cycling near sensitive nuclear and military facilities in Markazi province.
According to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Kaufmann was detained after being spotted near the Arak nuclear reactor and other restricted areas, including military installations and potential missile sites.
Iranian state media released a heavily edited four-minute video of Kaufmann wearing cycling gear, where he identifies himself and admits he was aware he was near a prohibited military zone. He also acknowledged sending his GPS location to a friend but denied any intent to spy, claiming his Garmin smartwatch inadvertently routed him through the area.
The video was narrated by Ameneh Sadat Zabihpour, an Iranian journalist sanctioned by the U.S. for her role in producing coerced confessions. The narrator accused Kaufmann of receiving instructions from “American and Jewish commanders” and suggested that his smartwatch navigation was remotely manipulated.
The arrest reportedly happened several weeks ago but was only made public now, following Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory since June 13. Analysts suggest the timing of Kaufmann’s detention being publicized could reflect Iran’s strategy of using foreign detainees as diplomatic leverage amid escalating tensions.
Kaufmann is currently being held at Evin Prison in Tehran, a facility known for housing political and foreign prisoners. The German embassy in Tehran is reportedly aware of his arrest, though German authorities have not issued an official statement.
This incident adds to the growing list of foreign nationals detained in Iran, raising concerns over the safety of Western travelers, especially dual nationals, amid worsening Iran-Israel conflict and increased security crackdowns within the Islamic Republic.
