Diplomatic row deepens between Britain and Iran after indictment of three Iranians

Tensions between Britain and Iran could rise after the two countries summoned each other's diplomats to protest on Monday over the indictment of three Iranians on suspicion of helping a foreign spy agency carry out activities on British soil.

Three men, all residents of London, were arrested on May 3 and charged on May 17.

Iranian media reported on Monday that the UK's charge d'affaires in Tehran was summoned to provide explanations over the arrests and "baseless accusations" against the Islamic republic.

A few hours later, Britain announced that it had summoned the Iranian ambassador to London for a meeting "following the indictment of three Iranian nationals under the National Security Act."

British authorities filed charges over the weekend against Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55, for "acts likely to assist a foreign intelligence service" between August 14, 2024, and February 16, 2025.

Police said the foreign intelligence service in question was Iran's.

During their initial court appearance, prosecutors alleged that the three men targeted British-based journalists affiliated with Iran International, a broadcaster critical of the Iranian government.

The charges came after police arrested eight men – including seven Iranians – in early May in two separate operations.

Later on May 17, in another statement, police said that four other men arrested as part of the operation had been released from custody, but the investigation remains open. The eighth suspect was released on May 15 without facing charges.

Relations between Tehran and London have deteriorated in recent months, after a British couple who had traveled to Iran were accused of espionage in February.

The couple, Craig and Lindsay Foreman, were reportedly travelling around the world on a motorbike when they were arrested in Iran.

British media reports that they entered Iran on December 30 through Armenia and planned to leave the country via the border with Pakistan five days later. They had stayed in Tabriz, Tehran and Isfahan, but had not checked into their hotel in Kerman.

The British government, which currently advises its citizens against traveling to Iran due to the "substantial risk" of arrest, interrogation or detention, has expressed "deep concern" about the allegations and says it is actively working to return the couple.

Iran is accused by human rights groups of engaging in "hostage diplomacy", arresting foreign and dual nationals to exert pressure on relations with the West./REL