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2h ago

Three Iranian Nationals Charged in UK Under National Security Act

The men face allegations of assisting Iran's intelligence service and planning serious violence, with preliminary hearings set for June.

A sign stands in front of the New Scotland Yard, the headquarters of the London Metropolitan Police, in 2023.
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ROCHDALE, ENGLAND - MAY 04: Police forensic officers search a house on May 04, 2025 in Rochdale, England. According to Metropolitan Police, five men were arrested overnight during pre-planned counter terrorism raids in Greater Manchester, Swindon, and London, as part of an investigation into "a suspected plot to target a specific premises." Four of the five were arrested under the Terrorism Act (TACT) and are Iranian nationals, police confirmed, with the fifth man's nationality still being determined. (Photo by Ryan Jenkinson/Getty Images)

Overview

  • Mostafa Sepahvand, Farhad Javadi Manesh, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, all London residents, were charged with aiding Iran's intelligence service between August 2024 and February 2025.
  • Sepahvand is additionally accused of conducting surveillance and reconnaissance with the intent to commit serious violence in the UK, while Manesh and Noori allegedly intended for others to commit such acts.
  • The charges mark one of the first major uses of the National Security Act 2023, which grants police expanded powers to address foreign state threats.
  • A fourth suspect, arrested earlier in May, was released without charge on May 15, while the three charged men have been remanded in custody.
  • The UK government plans to release a review next week on counter-terrorism frameworks to address modern state-sponsored threats, following growing concerns about Iran-linked activities.