UK: Three Iranians Charged with Terrorism

In relation to offenses under national security laws, UK police have charged three individuals following a significant counter-terrorism investigation. The UK’s counter-terrorism unit arrested eight men, including seven Iranians, earlier this month as part of two separate operations, with the Home Secretary referring to it as one of the largest investigations of its kind in recent years. Mostafa Sepahvand, Farhad Javadi Manes, and Saeed Kallehali Haney Nouri were charged for allegedly engaging in activities that may have aided a foreign intelligence service between August 14, 2024, and February 16, 2025, according to a police statement. The foreign state involved in the charges is Iran, police said. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian expressed ‘concern’ upon learning about the arrest of Iranians by British authorities. The UK government has placed Iran at the highest level of its Foreign Influence Registration System (FIRS), requiring Tehran to register all attempts to exert political influence in the UK.