The True Post (Web News) Three Iranian citizens have been charged in the United Kingdom with aiding Iran’s foreign intelligence agency and planning violent attacks on journalists based in the United Kingdom.
Mostafa Sepahvand (39), Farhad Javadi Manish (44) and Shapour Qila Ali Khani Nouri (55) — have been charged under the UK’s National Security Act, which was introduced to tackle the threat posed by foreigners. According to police, the operation took place between August 2024 and February 2025 and involved Iranian nationals. Mostafa Sepahvand is also accused of providing surveillance in preparation for serious violent acts, while Manish and Nouri are accused of providing surveillance of individuals who were expected to be involved in violence.
The three defendants denied the charges through their lawyers during a brief appearance via video link at London’s Old Bailey court and were remanded in custody until a formal indictment hearing on September 26. The trial is expected to begin in October 2026. According to prosecutors, the plot was aimed at targeting journalists affiliated with the anti-Iranian broadcaster Iran International, based in the UK. The arrests came on the same day that counter-terrorism police detained five other people, including four Iranians, in a separate operation. However, they were later released without charge.
