Iran summons British envoy over arrests in UK

TEHRAN, May 19 (BBC): Iran summoned a British envoy in Tehran over the arrest of several of its nationals in the UK, including three who have been charged with spying, Iranian state media has reported.

The IRNA news agency said the diplomat was asked to give an explanation for what it described as "unjustified" and "politically motivated" arrests.

Three Iranian men were arrested on 3 May and appeared in court in London on Saturday charged with spying for the Islamic republic.

The alleged spying took place from August 2024 to February 2025, according to the Metropolitan Police.

Police identified them as Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55, all living in London.

A fourth man was arrested on 9 May as part of the investigation, but has been released without charge, the Met said.

The three men, who arrived in the UK between 2016 and 2022, were granted temporary leave to remain after claiming asylum.