Three Iranians Arrested for Allegedly Targeting Individuals in the UK

The Metropolitan Police in London have detained three Iranian men suspected of assisting Iran’s intelligence service by targeting British individuals.

Three Iranian nationals have been brought to court in London facing accusations of aiding Iran’s intelligence efforts by focusing on individuals within the UK. Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55, are charged under the National Security Act for engaging in activities that may support a foreign intelligence service between August 14, 2024, and February 16, 2025.

The trio is also implicated in conducting surveillance and reconnaissance as part of an alleged plot to wreak serious violence on an unidentified individual. This arrest aligns with increasing apprehensions about Iranian operatives targeting UK citizens and residents.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrests, stating that the men were detained on May 3, with a clear indication that Iran is the foreign state involved in the charges. Reports suggest that the three men were particularly involved in plans aimed at journalists from Iran International, a London-based Persian-language media outlet critical of the Iranian regime.

All three defendants reside in London and reportedly entered the UK illegally between 2016 and 2022, with two having arrived via small boats from France.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper commented on the charges, stating that they will now progress through the criminal justice system without prejudice. She also expressed the government’s commitment to addressing the more extensive issues highlighted by this case. “Iran must be accountable for its actions,” she asserted. Cooper praised the police for their efforts, emphasizing that the UK would not tolerate increasing state threats on its territory.

In a recent speech, Ken McCallum, head of MI5, underscored Iran as a significant concern for the counterterrorism police, revealing that the security services have been probing 20 Iranian-backed plots since early 2022, all of which posed serious threats to British citizens and residents.