Two men found guilty of helping Iranian spy operation targeting UK-based critics

Detailed summary

Mostafa Sepahvand, 41, and Farhad Javadi Manesh, 46, carried out surveillance on journalists and other targets in Britain

Two Iranian nationals have been found guilty of carrying out activities likely to assist Iran's intelligence service after conducting surveillance on targets in the UK, including journalists based in London.

Mostafa Sepahvand, 41, and Farhad Javadi Manesh, 46, were convicted at Woolwich Crown Court of offences under the National Security Act following a trial into an alleged Iran-linked operation.

Jurors heard the pair carried out surveillance and reconnaissance between August 2024 and March 2025 on individuals considered to be of interest to the Iranian regime.

Their targets included journalists working for London-based Persian-language broadcaster Iran International, Mojtaba Pourmohsen and Kambiz Hosseini, as well as Jonathan Turner, a founder member of UK Lawyers for Israel.

GDP up 0.7%: Britain defies hit from Trump Iran war to grow economy, says Burnham

Revealed: Iran-backed 'terror masterminds' accused of plotting attacks on London

Terror suspects accused of targeting London 'wanted missiles' from Iran

UK economic growth expected to have picked up amid AI and defence drive

The prosecution said the men visited addresses linked to their targets, took photographs and videos, and carried out online research using internet tools including ChatGPT.

Opening of the article, excerpted from Evening Standard. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.