Breaking News: Convictions in the UK, cyberattacks in France, and warnings from the UAE reveal the breadth of Iranian intelligence operations.
Iranian espionage and covert action are extending across Europe, with recent developments exposing Tehran’s reach and prompting international concern. Convictions in Britain for spying on journalists, a major cyberattack against French infrastructure, and warnings from the United Arab Emirates about sleeper cells highlight the scale of the threat. The developments come amid continuing US economic pressure on Tehran and considerations about future diplomatic negotiations.
Two Iranian nationals, Mostafa Sepahvand, 41, and Farhad Javadi Manesh, 46, were convicted at Woolwich Crown Court in London of conduct likely to assist foreign intelligence services. They surveilled journalists at Iran International and figures linked to UK Lawyers for Israel between August 2024 and March 2025 (Fox News). Prosecutors described it as the first case of convictions under the 2023 National Security Act (Fox News). Simultaneously, France accused Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of a significant cyberattack targeting supermarket refrigeration systems, causing widespread food spoilage and fires (Fox News). Investigators found the attack, attributed to the IRGC’s Shahid Kaveh unit, was “unprecedented in its scale and aggression” (Fox News). Further, the UAE has warned of Iranian-linked sleeper cells operating both regionally and internationally, with hundreds of suspected members arrested (Fox News). Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi stated Iran needs to “stop using these sleeping cells in other countries” as part of any negotiation (Fox News).
These developments are provoking strong reactions. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot described the cyberattack as “unprecedented” (Fox News). US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Tehran of being “behind all the instability in the region” (Fox News). Journalist Lisa Daftari described being targeted by Iranian intelligence, facing surveillance and hacking (Fox News). These incidents underscore a pattern of Iranian activity beyond traditional regional conflicts and proxy warfare.
The G7 issued a joint declaration expressing “grave concern” over Iranian involvement in plots targeting its member states (Fox News). Continued monitoring of Iranian activity and coordinated responses, including economic and political pressure, are anticipated.
Sources: Fox News, The Jerusalem Post.
