Iranian citizens were arrested in London on charges of spying and planning violent acts. This has caused disagreements between the two countries, as they argue over how the case is being handled. Let’s take a closer look at what happened and why it is important for both nations.
The Arrests and Charges
On 3 May, British police arrested three men named Mostafa Sepahvand, Farhad Javadi Manesh, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori in London. The British government accused them of spying and gathering information to support an attack on journalists working for Iran International, a media outlet based in London that Tehran calls a terrorist group.
The men have been charged under the UK’s National Security Act for helping a foreign intelligence service. Sepahvand is also accused of planning serious violence, while Manesh and Noori face charges for helping with surveillance that could lead to violent acts. The men appeared in court on 24 May and will face further hearings in June.
British Authorities’ Response
Dominic Murphy, head of the police’s Counter Terrorism Command, described the charges as very serious and said the arrests came after a quick but detailed investigation. According to the British government, the men entered the UK illegally between 2016 and 2022, sometimes using small boats.
The UK government summoned Iran’s ambassador in London to express its concerns and said protecting national security is its top priority. They also stressed that Iran must be held responsible for its actions.
Iran’s Reaction
In response, Iran summoned the British official in Tehran to protest. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abas Araqchi called the arrests baseless and said the UK is refusing to allow Iran’s consular officials to visit the detainees. Iran warned that the UK would be responsible for any consequences from what it sees as political actions.
Iran also suggested that this could be a “false flag operation” — a trick to hurt relations between the two countries. The Iranian foreign minister accused third parties of trying to worsen the situation through such actions.
Background of Tensions
Tensions between Iran and the UK have been rising for some time. In March 2025, the UK placed Iran and its military groups on a special watchlist to stop secret and harmful activities. From July, anyone working for these groups must register with the UK or face prison.
British security services have revealed that they have stopped at least 20 possible attacks linked to Iran since 2022. Many attacks targeted Iranians living in the UK who oppose the Iranian government. One recent attack in March 2024 involved a journalist being stabbed in London.
Moving Forward
Despite the disagreements, both countries have agreed to keep communication open. Iranian Ambassador Ali Mousavi and UK’s Dan Jaffers met and promised to keep talking in good faith. Both sides agreed that dialogue is important to avoid misunderstandings and continue diplomatic relations.
The arrest of the three Iranian citizens has made relations between Tehran and London more difficult. The case highlights ongoing mistrust and serious security concerns on both sides. However, the willingness to continue talks shows both nations want to avoid a bigger conflict. How this case is handled will likely affect future relations between the UK and Iran, making it important for both countries to respect fair legal processes and diplomacy.
