Three Iranian nationals, Mostafa Sepahvand, 41, Farhad Manesh, 46, and Shapoor Noori, 57, have gone on trial in the United Kingdom, charged with spying for Iran. They allegedly gathered information on London-based journalists, including those working for the Farsi-language Iran International television news network. The Iranian regime has labelled Iran International a terror organisation. The men have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones, the three men visited addresses linked to people of interest to the Iranian regime, including two journalists working for Iran International. They undertook surveillance and reconnaissance between August 2024 and February 2025. Sepahvand was allegedly earmarked to carry out any attack. The trial will focus on steps taken on behalf of the Iranian regime to target journalists and others considered hostile or critical of it.
The targets of the alleged spying included political satirist and Iran International journalist Kambiz Hosseini, who has been the subject of threats and intimidation from the Iranian intelligence services. Another target was Mojtaba Pourmohsen, also a journalist for Iran International and known as a poet and writer. Mobile phone network data showed all three men visited the address where Hosseini was living.
The three accused do not deny visiting the addresses and taking photos and videos. However, Sepahvand claimed he had been coerced and acted out of fear. Prosecutors labelled his claims bogus and alleged he was seeking payment and looking to have a criminal conviction for theft in Iran fixed in return for his actions. Manesh and Noori said they were not aware that what they were doing was to assist the Iranian intelligence services.
The prosecution alleged that the ultimate objective of the three men was to locate and target at least two journalists associated with Iran International and others. They intended to subject their targets to serious violence, likely as retribution for their criticism of the Iranian regime and to silence and deter others who might dare to voice their criticism. The defendants are charged under the National Security Act.
Sepahvand is also charged with engaging in surveillance, reconnaissance and open-source research with the intention to commit serious violence. Manesh and Noori are further charged with engaging in surveillance and reconnaissance, with the intention that serious violence would be committed by others. The trial is expected to last up to six weeks.
The case highlights concerns about foreign spies operating in the UK and the risks faced by journalists critical of the Iranian regime. The Iranian regime has a history of targeting journalists and dissidents, and this case demonstrates the UK's commitment to protecting its citizens and holding foreign agents accountable for their actions.
Key points
- Three Iranian men charged with spying for Iran, targeting London-based journalists.
- The targets included journalists working for Iran International, a Farsi-language news network critical of the Iranian regime.
- The trial is expected to last up to six weeks, with the defendants charged under the National Security Act.
