• Iran summoned a British envoy following the arrest of its nationals in the UK.
• Three Iranians face charges of spying, with allegations of targeting journalists.
• The arrests have been described as "unjustified" and "politically motivated" by Iranian officials.

Iran has summoned a British envoy in Tehran to protest the recent arrests of several of its nationals, who have been charged with spying. The Iranian state media described these arrests as "politically motivated," specifically citing the detention of three men who appeared in a London court on Saturday, charged with espionage for the Islamic Republic. The men, identified as Mostafa Sepahvand, Farhad Javadi Manesh, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, were granted temporary leave to remain in the UK after entering as irregular migrants from 2016 to 2022. The alleged spying activities reportedly occurred between August 2024 and February 2025, according to Indiatimes and BBC.

Accompanying the Iranian summons, the UK's Foreign Office also summoned Iran's ambassador in London, signaling a reciprocal diplomatic response to the espionage charges. The British spokesperson emphasized that protecting national security is paramount, and Iran must be held accountable for its actions. The arrests and subsequent charges focus on the three men allegedly assisting foreign intelligence services, reinforcing the UK government's commitment to countering perceived threats to its security, according to AA and BBC.