A 55-year-old man from Ealing is among three Iranian nationals charged under the UK’s National Security Act, in a major counter-terrorism investigation linked to alleged activities on behalf of Iran.
Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, of Ealing, was charged alongside Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, of St John’s Wood, and Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, of Kensal Rise. All three men face accusations of engaging in conduct likely to assist a foreign intelligence service – allegedly Iran – between August 2024 and February 2025, in breach of Section 3 of the 2023 Act.
The trio appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today (17 May 2025) where they are accused of targeting journalists working for London-based Persian-language TV news network Iran International.
Sepahvand faces a further charge of carrying out surveillance, reconnaissance and open-source research with the intent to commit acts of serious violence. Manesh and Noori are also accused of engaging in surveillance and reconnaissance with the intent that others would carry out serious violence.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said in a statement: “”Iran must be held to account for its actions. We must also strengthen our powers to protect our national security as we will not tolerate growing state threats on our soil.”
Commander Dominic Murphy, who leads the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command said: “These are extremely serious charges under the National Security Act, which have come about following what has been a very complex and fast-moving investigation.
“Since the men were arrested two weeks ago, detectives have been working around the clock and we have worked closely with colleagues in the CPS to reach this point. We have been in contact with the individuals directly affected, and we continue to provide them with support.
“Now that these men have been charged I would urge people not to speculate about this case, so that the criminal justice process can run its course.”
