Three Iranian nationals who entered the UK illegally and claimed asylum have been charged with spying for Iran, raising serious questions about Britain’s immigration and national security systems.
At a Glance
- Three Iranian asylum seekers have been charged with conducting espionage activities for Iran’s intelligence service
- The suspects entered the UK illegally between 2016 and 2022 through various means including small boats and lorries
- One suspect faces additional charges of surveillance intended to facilitate violence against journalists
- All three men were granted leave to remain in the UK while their asylum claims were processed
- Home Secretary has announced plans to strengthen counter-terrorism powers in response
Illegal Entry and Asylum Claims
Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55, have been charged with “engaging in conduct likely to assist a foreign intelligence service” between August 2024 and February 2025. All three men entered the UK through unauthorized channels before claiming asylum. Sepahvand entered in 2016 hidden in a lorry, claiming religious persecution in Iran. Manesh crossed the English Channel in a small boat in December 2019, similarly claiming asylum on religious grounds. Noori came into contact with authorities in 2022 after entering illegally.
The men were all granted leave to remain in the UK while their asylum applications were being processed, allowing them to stay in the country legally during this period. This routine procedure has now come under scrutiny as authorities have uncovered evidence suggesting these individuals may have been working as intelligence operatives for the Iranian regime while benefiting from Britain’s asylum system. They have been remanded in custody since their arrests on May 3 and will appear before the Old Bailey court next month.
Serious Espionage and Violence Charges
The Metropolitan Police have charged the three men with offenses under the National Security Act following a counter-terrorism investigation. The primary charge involves “engaging in conduct likely to assist a foreign intelligence service” – specifically Iran’s intelligence apparatus. Sepahvand faces additional, more serious charges of planning violence in the UK through surveillance and reconnaissance activities, particularly targeting journalists at Iran International, a Persian-language news organization critical of the Iranian regime.
“The charges that have been laid against these three individuals must now take their course through the criminal justice system and nothing must be done to prejudice the outcome of those proceedings”, said Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.
Manesh and Noori are charged with conducting surveillance activities intended to facilitate violence against individuals in the UK. While police have not disclosed the specific intended targets of the defendants, the UK’s domestic intelligence service has previously highlighted growing threats from Tehran-linked operatives against dissidents and journalists on British soil. A fourth individual arrested in connection with the investigation has been released without charge after questioning.
National Security Response
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced plans to strengthen the UK’s counter-terrorism approach in response to this case. The arrests come amid mounting concerns about state-sponsored threats operating within Britain’s borders. Cooper emphasized the severity of the situation while being careful not to prejudice the ongoing legal proceedings. The government appears to be treating these charges as evidence of a broader pattern of hostile activity by the Iranian regime.
“But we will also take separate action to address the very serious wider issues raised by this case…We must also strengthen our powers to protect our national security as we will not tolerate growing state threats on our soil.”, added Cooper.
Counter-terrorism chief Dominic Murphy described the charges as “extremely serious.” The case has prompted discussions about potential vulnerabilities in the UK’s immigration and asylum systems that might be exploited by hostile foreign powers. The government’s promised review of counter-terrorism powers suggests this case may lead to more stringent vetting procedures for asylum seekers, particularly those from countries with histories of sponsoring terrorism or conducting espionage operations abroad.
