UK court convicts two Iranian men of spying on journalists and plotting attack

A London court convicted two Iranian men of spying on journalists working for a Persian-language television station critical of Iran's government, according to DW English. One of the men was also found guilty of planning a violent attack against the reporters.

The men, both in their 40s, were arrested last year and convicted at Woolwich Crown Court after a six-week trial, as reported by Al Jazeera English. They were accused of conducting surveillance on journalists and others, including a founding member of UK Lawyers for Israel.

British counterterrorism police described the case as part of increasing hostile Iranian activity in the UK. The men were said to have engaged in conduct likely to assist Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which the UK outlawed in July 2026.

One defendant claimed he acted under duress after threats to his family, while the other said he was unaware his actions aided Iranian intelligence, DW English noted. A third defendant was acquitted of all charges.

The UK authorities emphasized the ongoing threat from hostile states and the use of proxies by Iran to target dissidents and critics in the country, with London’s Metropolitan Police working to protect Iranian journalists.

The convictions highlight concerns over foreign intelligence operations targeting individuals in the UK, as detailed by The Guardian World and other outlets.