Three Iranians go on trial in London over alleged spy plot

Three Iranian men have gone on trial in London accused of conducting surveillance on UK based journalists for Iran foreign intelligence service.

FTMQ World, written by our newsroom7 October 2026 at 01:070 views

Three Iranian men have gone on trial at Woolwich Crown Court in London accused of targeting UK based journalists critical of the Iranian government, Euronews and Iran International reported. Prosecutors allege that the men carried out surveillance on employees of Iran International, a London based satellite news channel, between August 2024 and March 2025. [1][3]

The defendants are Mostafa Sepahvand, aged 41, Farhad Javadi Manesh, aged 46, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, aged 57, Euronews reported. Prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones stated that the men operated with the intention of physically harming and intimidating journalists who publicly criticize the Iranian government. [1]

Iran operates as a theocratic republic where ultimate authority is held by the Supreme Leader. The country established its current political structure following the 1979 revolution that overthrew the Pahlavi monarchy. [6]

Three Iranian men are on trial at Woolwich Crown Court in London.
The defendants face charges of assisting Iranian foreign intelligence between August 2024 and March 2025.
Prosecutors allege the men targeted journalists working at London-based Iran International.

Sources

Every paragraph above points to the numbered items it rests on. Read the originals here.

[1]UK trial of three Iranians over alleged plot to target Iran dissident journalistsEuronews Election News, 6h ago (the report this story comes from)
[2]UK trial of three Iranians over alleged plot to target Iran dissident journalistsEuronews.com, 6h ago
[3]Three Iranians spied on Iran International journalists in UK, prosecutors sayIran International, 10h ago
[4]Two Iranians Accused Of Murdering Iran Cops Executed In Latest Action Against 'Traitors'The Times of India, 13h ago

Background

[5]Doctors' plot on Wikipedia
[6]Iran on Grokipedia

Our newsroom writes these reports with the help of software, from the 6 sources listed and nothing else, and checks them against those sources. Facts can still be wrong or move on; the originals are the record. Spotted a mistake? Write to daniel@monsterkong.com.

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