Three Iranian nationals appeared in a London court on Friday, accused of aiding Iran’s foreign intelligence service and plotting violent acts against journalists working for a UK-based broadcaster critical of Tehran.
Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55, are charged under Britain’s new National Security Act, introduced to strengthen protections against foreign state threats.
Prosecutors allege the men engaged in activities to support a foreign intelligence service — specifically Iran’s — between August 2024 and February 2025.
Sepahvand faces an additional charge of conducting surveillance as part of preparations for a violent attack. Manesh and Noori are accused of similar surveillance with intent that others would carry out the violence.
All three men appeared via videolink at the Old Bailey for a brief preliminary hearing. Their lawyers said they intend to plead not guilty.
The charges stem from alleged plans targeting journalists affiliated with Iran International, a Persian-language broadcaster based in the UK and known for its critical coverage of the Iranian regime.
The trio remains in custody ahead of a formal plea hearing on September 26. Their trial is scheduled to begin in October 2026.
Their arrests came during a broader counter-terrorism operation last month, during which five other men — including four Iranians — were also detained. Those individuals were later released without charge.
