London Court Hears Charges Against Three Iranians for Alleged Espionage

The Metropolitan Police arrested three Iranian men for allegedly aiding Iran's intelligence service in plotting violence against identified individuals in Britain, raising concerns over Iranian operations on UK soil.

Three Iranian nationals have been charged in a London court, accused of collaborating with Iran’s intelligence services to target individuals in the United Kingdom. Mostafa Sepahvand (39), Farhad Javadi Manesh (44), and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori (55) face serious allegations under Britain’s National Security Act for their actions between August 14, 2022, and February 16, 2023. The charges include conducting surveillance and reconnaissance as part of a potentially violent operation against an unnamed person.

The arrests, which took place on May 3, have intensified worries about Iranian operatives targeting British citizens and residents. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that all three men, who have been living in London, entered the UK unlawfully between 2016 and 2022. Reports suggest they may be among those who crossed the English Channel from France on small boats.

Yvette Cooper, the UK Home Secretary, emphasized the need for a thorough judicial process while acknowledging the gravity of these charges. She stressed that Iran must be held accountable for its actions, marking this incident as part of a broader pattern of threats emanating from the country. In previous statements, MI5’s chief, Ken McCallum, pointed out an increasing number of Iranian-backed plots under investigation, with at least 20 cases posing significant risks to the safety of British residents since early 2022.

The case highlights ongoing tensions surrounding foreign operations on British territory, as officials work to combat and respond to state-sponsored threats.