HAMBURG, Germany, July 24: Early Wednesday morning, dozens of officers commenced a raid on the Blue Mosque in Hamburg, as reported by a dpa correspondent on the scene.

The Blue Mosque, situated in an upscale central area along the shore of the city's Outer Alster Lake, is operated by the Islamic Centre Hamburg (IZH). Germany's domestic intelligence service has classified the IZH as extremist and alleges it is controlled by Iran.

In April, a spokesperson for the federal Interior Ministry confirmed an ongoing investigation into the IZH under association law, stating that it was being conducted "without any set expectations regarding the result."

The raid marks a significant development in Germany's efforts to address concerns about extremist activities and foreign influence within its borders. The investigation and subsequent actions by authorities underscore the heightened vigilance against potential threats to national security.