Monitor this situation.

Unsubscribe anytime.

[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [INTERNATIONAL]

2 clusters · 12 sources · 26 days · First seen about 2 months ago · Last updated 21 days ago

UK investigations into Iranian espionage

Overview

Authorities in the United Kingdom have conducted investigations and legal proceedings regarding alleged Iranian espionage activities within London.

In September 2026, London counter-terrorism officers arrested two individuals, a 42-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man, on suspicion of ‘assisting a foreign intelligence service’ under the National Security Act 2023. Police indicated that while these arrests reflect a significant increase in national security work related to foreign state threats, there was no perceived imminent threat to the general public.

By October 2026, the focus shifted to a trial at Woolwich Crown Court involving three Iranian men—Mostafa Sepahvand, Farhad Manesh, and Shapoor Noori. Prosecutors allege the defendants conducted surveillance and reconnaissance between August 2024 and early 2025 to target journalists at the Farsi-language news network Iran International. The prosecution claims the surveillance was intended to facilitate violent attacks against journalists as retribution for their criticism of the Iranian government.

During the trial, it was alleged that Mostafa Sepahvand was specifically earmarked to carry out a potential attack. While the defendants did not deny visiting specific addresses or capturing photos and videos, they disputed the intent behind their actions. Sepahvand claimed he acted out of ‘coercion and fear’, while Manesh and Noori stated they were unaware they were assisting Iranian intelligence services.

Entities

Metropolitan Police · Mostafa Sepahvand · Helen Flanagan · Iran International · London

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 5 SOURCES] The three defendants are accused of conduct likely to assist a foreign intelligence service.
[● 5 SOURCES] The ultimate objective of the surveillance was to subject targets to serious violence as retribution for criticizing the Iranian regime.
[● 5 SOURCES] The surveillance and reconnaissance took place between August 2024 and early 2025.
[● 5 SOURCES] The defendants intended to target at least two journalists associated with Iran International.
[● 5 SOURCES] Defendant Mostafa Sepahvand claimed he was coerced and acted out of fear.
[● 5 SOURCES] Defendants Farhad Manesh and Shapoor Noori claimed they were unaware they were assisting Iranian intelligence.
[● 5 SOURCES] Mostafa Sepahvand was allegedly designated to carry out a potential attack.
[● 5 SOURCES] The three defendants are charged under the UK National Security Act.

Timeline

21 days ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 10 sources
Three Iranians on trial in UK for alleged spying on journalists
Three Iranian men are on trial in London for allegedly spying on Iran International journalists to facilitate violent attacks as retribution for their criticism of the Iranian regime.
about 2 months ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
London police arrest two suspects for suspected Iranian espionage
London police have arrested two individuals suspected of assisting Iranian intelligence under the National Security Act 2023. The suspects were released on strict bail pending further investigation in October.

Sources

al-monitor.com · alaraby.co.uk · dailynewslb.com · euronews.net · europesays.com · ir.voanews.com · it.euronews.com · kayhanlife.com · melliun.org · newsday.com · theguardian.com · villaangelaprensa.com.ar

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history