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British authorities have charged three Iranian nationals with helping to “assist a foreign intelligence service”, marking a new stage in a counter-intelligence investigation targeting Iranian activities within the UK.
The Metropolitan Police announced the charges under the 2023 National Security Act against Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55, all London residents who were originally arrested on May 3.
The trio’s activities in support of Iran took place between August 14 2024 and February 16 2025, according to the Met.
Sepahvand faces additional charges related to surveillance and reconnaissance activities with the intent to commit serious violence within the UK. Manesh and Noori are accused of facilitating such violence through their actions.
The arrests were part of a broader counterterrorism effort in which eight Iranian nationals were detained in two separate operations on May 3.
While three have been formally charged, the remaining five individuals are still under investigation, with one released on conditional bail.
The UK’s National Security Act 2023 grants law enforcement enhanced powers to address threats posed by foreign states. Section 27 of the Act allows the arrest of individuals suspected of involvement in foreign power threat activities without a warrant.
Commander Dominic Murphy from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command said: “These are extremely serious charges under the National Security Act, which have come about following what has been a very complex and fast-moving investigation.”
The Iranian government did not immediately comment on the arrests.
