Liverpool man charged with aiding Iran intelligence

A 39-year-old man from Liverpool has been charged with assisting Iran's intelligence service, British authorities announced on Friday, July 17, 2026. Vahid Aberi was arrested in the Birmingham area on Wednesday, July 15, following an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing London.

Aberi was taken to a police station in the West Midlands, and officers subsequently carried out searches at addresses in both Birmingham and Liverpool. After further inquiries, the Crown Prosecution Service authorized a charge of assisting a foreign intelligence service, contrary to sections 3(1) and 9 of the National Security Act 2023. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the investigation related to Iran. Aberi was remanded in custody and was due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday.

Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, stated that the case exemplifies a broader trend of increased activity. "We have seen a significant and sustained increase in the tempo of our work in national security investigations in recent years," Flanagan said. "This case is yet another example of where we've intervened to disrupt suspected activity linked to foreign intelligence...