UK summons Iran envoy after 3 Iranian citizens charged with spying

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - The British Foreign Office summoned Iran's ambassador in London on Monday after three Iranian nationals were charged with spying.

"Today, upon instruction from the Foreign Secretary, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Kingdom was summoned to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. His Excellency Seyed Ali Mousavi was summoned in response to three Iranian nationals charged under the National Security Act," a Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement.

The spokesperson said the UK government is clear that protecting national security remains their top priority and Iran "must be held accountable for its actions."

At the weekend, the Iranian nationals had been charged with engaging in conduct likely to assist a foreign intelligence service.

Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55, all from London, had appeared in a court on Saturday.

They were granted temporary leave to remain in the UK after they arrived as irregular migrants between 2016 and 2022.