World · Europe · 1 hr ago
Two Iranian men convicted of spying on journalists in Britain
Two Iranian men were convicted of spying on journalists in Britain on behalf of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
Mostafa Sepahvand was found guilty of two offences, while Farhad Javadi Manesh was convicted of one at Woolwich Crown Court.
Prosecutors said they watched journalists at Iran International, a Persian-language station critical of Iran’s government, from August 2024 to March 2025.
Sepahvand was also convicted on a charge linked to a plan to attack one or more targets, while Manesh was acquitted of that charge.
Police said this was the first time Iranian nationals were convicted under the 2023 National Security Act, which covers threats from foreign states.
Iran has denied involvement in spying, and its foreign minister said he was disturbed by the arrests.
Both men are due to be sentenced next month; a third man was acquitted of both charges.
Two Iranian men were convicted in a London court of spying on journalists in Britain for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
Mostafa Sepahvand was convicted of two offences, including one linked to a plan to attack targets, while Farhad Javadi Manesh was convicted of one offence.
Prosecutors said the men surveilled journalists working for Iran International between August 2024 and March 2025.
A third defendant, Shapoor Noori, was acquitted of all charges.
Iran has denied involvement in spying, while British police said the case reflected an increasing threat from Iran.
- Who
- Mostafa Sepahvand, 41, and Farhad Javadi Manesh, 46, were convicted. A third defendant, Shapoor Noori, was acquitted.
- What
- The two men were convicted of offences involving assistance to Iranian intelligence and spying on journalists. Sepahvand was also convicted of an offence linked to a plan for an attack.
- When
- The convictions were reported on November 12, 2026. The surveillance was alleged to have taken place between August 2024 and March 2025.
- Where
- Woolwich Crown Court in London, Britain.
- Why
- Prosecutors said the surveillance gathered information to help prepare for attacks on people critical of Iran’s government.
Iranian authorities
British prosecutors and police
Alleged Iranian involvement
Iranian authorities
Iran has repeatedly denied involvement in spying or similar activity.
British prosecutors and police
Prosecutors said the men spied on journalists for Iranian intelligence and gathered information to help prepare for an attack.
Interpretation of the case
Iranian authorities
Iran’s foreign minister said he was disturbed by the arrests.
British prosecutors and police
Police said the convictions reflected a continuing and increasing threat to the UK from Iran.
Prosecutors said the men carried out surveillance on journalists working for Iran International.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he was disturbed by the arrests of Sepahvand and others.
A London court found Sepahvand and Manesh guilty and acquitted Noori.
Sepahvand and Manesh are due to be sentenced at the Old Bailey.
- Convicted defendant
- Mostafa Sepahvand, 41
- Convicted defendant
- Farhad Javadi Manesh, 46
- Acquitted defendant
- Shapoor Noori, 57
- Court
- Woolwich Crown Court, London
- Target broadcaster
- Iran International
- Sentencing date
- December 17, 2026
4 sources
What people are saying
highlights the continuing and increasing threat to the UK from Iran
Their ultimate objective was that one or more than one of their targets would be subjected to serious violence – no doubt as retribution for their criticism of the Iranian regime.
This was a calculated operation to spy on those critical of the Iranian regime
disturbed