Three Iranian asylum seekers who entered the UK illegally have been charged with spying for Tehran, raising critical questions about Britain’s national security vulnerabilities as the government scrambles to address escalating foreign threats.
At a Glance
- Three Iranian nationals who entered Britain as asylum seekers through irregular means have been charged with espionage under the National Security Act
- One suspect, Mostafa Sepahvand, faces additional charges of surveillance and reconnaissance with intent to commit serious violence
- MI5 has identified 20 credible Iranian plots to kill or kidnap people in the UK since 2022
- Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced new counter-terrorism initiatives to address growing state threats
- The case highlights security risks within the UK’s asylum system as all three suspects were granted leave to remain while their claims were processed
Asylum Seekers Turned Alleged Spies
British counter-terrorism police have charged three Iranian nationals with espionage offenses following their arrests on May 3. Mostafa Sepahvand, Farhad Javadi Manesh, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori allegedly conducted operations for Iranian intelligence services between August 2024 and February 2025. Sepahvand faces additional charges of surveillance and reconnaissance with intent to commit serious violence against individuals associated with Iran International, a Persian-language news organization critical of the Tehran regime.
Particularly concerning for British authorities is how these suspects entered the country. All three arrived in the UK through illegal channels – Sepahvand entered in 2016 claiming religious persecution, Manesh crossed the English Channel by small boat in December 2019, and Noori was detected in 2022 after entering the UK concealed in a lorry. Each claimed asylum and was granted temporary leave to remain while their cases were processed, giving them freedom to operate within British borders.
Growing Iranian Threat on British Soil
These arrests represent just the latest development in what security officials describe as an escalating pattern of Iranian aggression against targets in the United Kingdom. MI5 Director General Ken McCallum has publicly confirmed that British intelligence and police have identified at least 20 credible Iranian plots to kidnap or kill individuals on UK soil since 2022. Many of these operations reportedly target dissidents and journalists opposed to the Iranian regime.
Security experts believe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is the primary force behind these operations. Despite the UK Parliament passing a motion to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization, it remains unproscribed in Britain. The threats have already forced Iran International TV to close its London studios due to security concerns. Intelligence sources indicate the IRGC has developed sophisticated networks within the UK, including recruiting spies in the British military and targeting both British Muslims and Jewish civilians.
Government Response and National Security Concerns
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced plans to strengthen the UK’s counter-terrorism framework in response to these arrests. The government will publish a report on adapting traditional counter-terrorism approaches to address modern state threats. In March, Iran was placed on an enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), requiring individuals working for Iran, its intelligence services, or the Revolutionary Guard to register their activities or face jail time.
The case raises serious questions about the UK’s asylum system and border security. Critics point to the fact that individuals who entered the country illegally were able to allegedly conduct espionage while their asylum claims were being processed. The security implications are particularly troubling given reports that the Islamic College in London has been linked to Al-Mustafa University in Iran, which security sources describe as a recruiting ground for the IRGC. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has expressed concern over the arrests, as the defendants await trial at the Old Bailey.
Security Vulnerabilities Exposed
This case highlights a critical vulnerability in the UK’s national security apparatus – the potential exploitation of the asylum system by hostile foreign powers. Security experts warn that the intersection of illegal immigration and espionage creates a perfect storm for state-sponsored intelligence operations. With small boat crossings continuing to challenge border enforcement, the concern that some arrivals may be acting on behalf of hostile states adds yet another dimension to Britain’s immigration and security challenges.
Ali Ansari, Professor in Modern History at the University of St Andrews, said: “Saturday’s arrests are a very worrying development and a clear sign that Iran’s threat to UK citizens is more than rhetorical.”
The government’s forthcoming counter-terrorism framework will need to address these interconnected challenges, balancing humanitarian obligations with the imperative to protect national security. As the three Iranian nationals await their court date, the case serves as a stark reminder that foreign threats can arrive through unexpected channels, demanding increased vigilance and more robust security protocols at Britain’s borders and within its asylum system.
