Overview

• Three Iranian nationals, Mostafa Sepahvand, Farhad Javadi Manesh, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, have been charged under the UK's National Security Act 2023 for alleged espionage and targeting journalists critical of the Iranian government.
• The UK Foreign Office summoned Iran's ambassador, Seyed Ali Mousavi, asserting that Iran must be held accountable for its actions, following the charges and arrests.
• Iran has summoned the British charge d'affaires in Tehran, accusing the UK of politically motivated arrests, false claims, and violations of international norms, including delayed consular access.
• The arrests stemmed from two separate counter-terrorism operations earlier in May, which involved eight Iranian nationals; five of these individuals were released but remain under investigation.
• The UK has placed Iran on the highest tier of its Foreign Influence Registration Scheme, intensifying scrutiny of Tehran's activities and requiring registration of its political operations in the UK.