Iran has summoned the British ambassador in Tehran after the UK called in Iran’s most senior diplomat in London over the conviction of two Romanian nationals linked to the stabbing of an Iranian-British journalist.
The diplomatic dispute follows Britain’s decision to summon Iran’s chargé d’affaires after George Stana and Nandito Badea were sentenced to 12 years and eight years in prison respectively for their involvement in the 2024 attack on Iran International journalist Pouria Zeraati.
Zeraati was stabbed three times in the leg near his home in south-west London in March 2024.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said it handed the British ambassador a formal protest note, rejecting what it described as “groundless and false” claims that Tehran had sought to carry out security-related activities in the UK.
The two Romanian men were convicted at Woolwich Crown Court after pleading not guilty to wounding with intent. British prosecutors argued they had acted as proxies for the Iranian government.
The UK Foreign Office said the judge concluded that the attack had been carried out “in the interests of, and on behalf of, the Iranian state.”
According to Metropolitan Police, the court ruled that the “foreign power condition” under the UK’s National Security Act applied to Stana because of “extensive planning and his lengthy involvement in the plot”, indicating that he knew, or should have known, of the connection to the Iranian state.
The same condition did not apply to Badea, with the court finding he was unaware of Iran’s alleged involvement.
Tehran rejected Britain’s accusations, calling them “groundless and false” and accusing London of attempting to divert attention from its own actions.
The UK Foreign Office said the case formed part of “a longstanding pattern of hostile activity by the Iranian intelligence services on UK soil”, adding that Iran must end such activities immediately.
Iran’s embassy in London dismissed the allegations as “unfounded, politically motivated and hostile”.
Iran also urged Britain to stop hosting media organisations that Tehran claims are “funded and directed by the Israeli regime”, calling on the UK to end such activity “as soon as possible.
