In brief
Three Iranian men are facing charges under the UK's National Security Act for allegedly assisting Iran's intelligence in targeting individuals in Britain.
The Metropolitan Police have apprehended three Iranian men, Mostafa Sepahvand (39), Farhad Javadi Manesh (44), and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori (55), who are accused of facilitating operations for Iran's intelligence service aimed at individuals within the UK. They face charges under the National Security Act for engaging in conduct that may assist a foreign intelligence service during the period of August 14, 2022, to February 16, 2023. The charges also include conducting surveillance and reconnaissance linked to an unnamed plot to inflict serious violence against a person. These arrests surfaced amid heightened apprehension regarding Iranian operatives allegedly targeting British citizens and residents. The police confirmed that the three men were taken into custody on May 3. According to a statement from the Metropolitan Police, "The foreign state to which the charges relate is Iran." Reports indicate that the defendants targeted journalists associated with Iran International, a London-based independent broadcaster that has openly criticized the Iranian government. All three defendants, who reside in London, reportedly entered the UK unlawfully between 2016 and 2022, with two traversing the English Channel on small vessels from France. Britain's Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, emphasized the seriousness of the accusations and stated, "The charges that have been laid against these three individuals must now take their course through the criminal justice system." She also remarked on the need for separate actions to address the broader implications of this case and reaffirmed that Iran should be held accountable for its actions. Cooper commended the police for their efforts, asserting, "We will not tolerate growing state threats on our soil." This incident aligns with a prior speech by Ken McCallum, head of MI5, who highlighted Iran as an escalating concern, noting that security services have been probing 20 Iranian-backed plots threatening the safety of British citizens since early 2022.
