Iran Arrests German-Jewish Cyclist Near Nuclear Site, Accuses Him of Espionage
Iranian authorities detained German-Jewish cyclist Marek Kaufmann, accusing him of espionage near the Arak nuclear reactor, amid heightened tensions with Israel and the U.S. The arrest, publicized recently, is part of a wave of foreign detentions, raising concerns about Iran’s use of detainees as geopolitical leverage.
Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has detained Marek Kaufmann, a German-Jewish cyclist, accusing him of spying near sensitive military and nuclear sites in Markazi province, including the Arak heavy-water reactor. Arrested in 2024 while cycling through restricted areas marked with warning signs, Kaufmann’s detention was only publicized on June 21, 2025, as Iran faces ongoing Israeli and U.S. strikes on its nuclear facilities. He is currently held in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison, known for housing political prisoners and foreign detainees, with the German embassy aware of his situation but offering no public comment.
Iranian state media released a heavily edited four-minute video showing Kaufmann in cycling gear, identifying himself and admitting he was near a military zone where photography was prohibited. He acknowledged sending his location to a friend and stated his Garmin smartwatch suggested a detour into the restricted area. The video’s narrator, Ameneh Sadat Zabihpour, sanctioned by the U.S. in 2022 for producing coerced confessions, claimed Kaufmann was “guided by American and Jewish commanders” to collect data on missile silos, drone routes, and airbases, alleging his navigation was remotely controlled. Investigators reportedly found memory cards with images of missile launchers hidden in his bicycle, though no evidence supports claims of foreign guidance.
Kaufmann’s detention coincides with a surge in foreign arrests, including a European national in northwestern Iran and two others in Karaj, accused of Mossad affiliations. The timing suggests Iran may be using detainees as leverage amid escalating tensions, particularly after Israel’s June 13 strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. The Swiss Embassy, handling Germany’s consular affairs in Iran, has not confirmed access to Kaufmann. His case underscores the growing risks for Western travelers in Iran, where current tensions amplify scrutiny of foreigners, potentially complicating diplomatic efforts to secure his release.