British police have charged three Iranian nationals with espionage-related offenses, alleging they assisted Iran's intelligence services from August 2024 to February 2025. The charges, made under the National Security Act following an extensive counterterrorism investigation, include serious allegations of conducting surveillance and reconnaissance aimed at committing violence in the UK. The three men, Mostafa Sepahvand, Farhad Javadi Manesh, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, are scheduled to appear in court. Their arrests coincide with broader actions against Iranian nationals, indicating heightened scrutiny on Iranian activities in the UK.
Commander Dominic Murphy, from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, stated, 'These are extremely serious charges under the National Security Act...' emphasizing the gravity and complexity of the investigation.
Police noted the charges stem from a significant counter-terrorism investigation, where the three Iranians were alleged to assist Iranian intelligence services, highlighting ongoing tensions.
The police detailed that among the charges, Mostafa Sepahvand, in particular, had conducted surveillance and reconnaissance, indicating intentions of serious violence against targets in the UK.
The context of this operation is underscored by its timing coinciding with other Iranian detentions, marking it as part of a larger scrutiny on Iranian activities in the UK.
Collection
[
|
...
]