WANA (May 17) – British police have charged three Iranian nationals with offenses under the UK’s National Security Act, accusing them of espionage activities on behalf of Tehran following an extensive counterterrorism investigation.

 

According to a statement by the UK Police, the three Iranian men were arrested earlier in London under suspicion of assisting Iran’s intelligence services between August 14, 2024, and February 16, 2025. As reported, the suspects have been identified as:

 

  • Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, from St John’s Wood
  • Farhad Javadimanesh, 44, from Kensal Rise
  • Shapour Ghaleh-Alikhani Noori, 55, from Ealing

 

These three Iranian nationals were arrested on May 3 under the UK’s National Security Act. Sepahvand is accused of conducting surveillance, reconnaissance, and open-source research with the alleged intent to facilitate serious violence against an individual in the UK.

 

Javadimanesh and Noori are also charged with surveillance and reconnaissance in preparation for serious violence targeting another individual.

 

Commander Dominic Murphy of the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command described the case as involving “very serious charges under the National Security Act, brought after a highly complex and fast-moving investigation.”

 

It is reported that the three men are expected to appear in court today (Saturday). In a related development, a fourth man, aged 31, was arrested last Friday but was released without charge on May 15.