British police have formally charged three Iranian nationals under the National Security Act following a significant counter-terrorism probe, authorities confirmed on Saturday.
The men – Mostafa Sepahvand, Farhad Javadi Manesh, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori – are accused of engaging in activities that could aid a foreign intelligence service between August 14, 2024, and February 16, 2025. The charges specifically involve Iran as the foreign state.
The arrests, which took place earlier this month, were part of a major counter-terrorism operation led by British police. In total, eight men were detained, seven of whom were Iranian. The operation has been described by the UK interior minister as one of the most substantial of its kind in recent years.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, has voiced concern over the detentions, expressing unease about the arrest of Iranian nationals in the UK.
In response to these developments, the British government has elevated Iran to the highest level on its foreign influence register, mandating Tehran to disclose any efforts to influence UK politics.