A British court has found two Iranian nationals guilty of surveilling journalists working for the Persian-language broadcaster Iran International on behalf of Iranian intelligence services.

The verdict was delivered by Woolwich Crown Court in a case brought under the UK's National Security Act, according to Reuters.

Mostafa Sepahvand, 41, was convicted on two counts, while Farhad Javadi Manesh, 46, was found guilty on one count. A third defendant, 57-year-old Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, was acquitted of all charges.

According to prosecutors, the men monitored Iran International employees between August 2024 and March 2025. The broadcaster is known for its critical coverage of Iran's authorities.

Prosecutors alleged that the surveillance was carried out on behalf of Iran's foreign intelligence service as part of preparations for potential attacks on journalists in retaliation for their criticism of the Iranian leadership.