# Iran’s shadow operations stretch across Europe as chilling spy convictions expose Tehran’s reach

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/irans-shadow-operations-stretch-across-europe-as-chilling-spy-convictions-expose-tehrans-reach/
- Published: 2026-11-12T15:10:49+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-12T16:54:38+00:00
- Original publisher: Fox News (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.foxnews.com/world/irans-shadow-operations-stretch-across-europe-chilling-spy-convictions-expose-tehrans-reach
- Topics: Cybersecurity, Europe, Middle East, Technology, UK, World

## Key points

- Two Iranian men were convicted of spying on critics in Britain.
- One defendant was also convicted of preparing serious violence.
- France alleges an Iran-linked cyberattack hit refrigeration at 700 sites.

## Summary

Two Iranian men have been convicted in Britain of conducting surveillance on journalists and other critics of Tehran, in a case authorities say exposes the reach of Iranian intelligence operations abroad. The verdicts come amid separate allegations of Iran-linked plots in the United States and Europe, and French accusations that the Revolutionary Guard was behind a cyberattack on food infrastructure.

Prosecutors said Mostafa Sepahvand and Farhad Javadi Manesh monitored targets between August 2024 and March 2025, including journalists at Iran International and a figure associated with UK Lawyers for Israel. Sepahvand was also convicted of preparing for serious violence; Manesh was cleared of that charge, and a third defendant was acquitted. In France, investigators say hackers altered refrigeration settings at about 700 retail sites, spoiling food and contributing to at least 15 reported fires; Iran denies the allegations.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.