Three men alleged to be working on behalf of Iranian intelligence have appeared in court charged with targeting UK-based journalists, with the intention of facilitating serious violence against them.

Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55, all residents of London, were brought before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday. The men are accused of attempting to locate journalists associated with Iran International, an independent news outlet critical of the Iranian regime, and assisting foreign intelligence operations.

The charges fall under the National Security Act and relate to offences committed between 2024 and 2025. The trio, all of whom had been granted temporary leave to remain in the UK after seeking asylum, were arrested on 3 May.

According to prosecutors, Mr Sepahvand arrived in the UK in 2016 hidden in a lorry, while Mr Manesh and Mr Noori entered the country by small boat in more recent years.

All three men are charged with conduct likely to aid Iran’s intelligence service in carrying out UK-related activities. Mr Sepahvand faces additional charges for carrying out surveillance, reconnaissance, and online research with the intent of causing serious harm. Mr Manesh and Mr Noori are accused of similar surveillance activities with the intention that others would carry out the violence.

Appearing in the dock dressed in grey tracksuits and flanked by eight security officers, Mr Sepahvand was brought in a wheelchair. No pleas were entered. District Judge Annabel Pilling remanded all three in custody, with their next appearance scheduled at the Old Bailey on 6 June.

A fourth man, 31, who had also been arrested on 9 May in connection with the case, has since been released without charge.

Authorities allege that the defendants conducted reconnaissance to track journalists associated with Iran International, which has been labelled a terrorist organisation by Tehran. The broadcaster is known for its critical coverage of the Iranian government.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the alleged plot, stating: “Iran must be held to account for its actions. We must also strengthen our powers to protect national security as we will not tolerate growing state threats on our soil.”

Commander Dominic Murphy of the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command described the investigation as "extremely serious," adding that officers have been working "around the clock" since the arrests.

The Crown Prosecution Service urged the public and media to avoid any reporting or online commentary that could prejudice the ongoing legal proceedings.

On the same day the three men were arrested, five other Iranian nationals were detained in separate counter-terrorism operations across the UK. Four have since been released, while one remains on bail. Police confirmed the two cases are not being treated as connected, and investigations are continuing.