Three Iranian men charged with spying offences arrived in the UK by "irregular means", including small boats and a lorry, before claiming asylum, Sky News understands.

The trio appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Saturday accused of "engaging in conduct likely to assist a foreign intelligence service" between August 2024 and February 2025, following an investigation by counter-terror police.

Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55, are alleged to have targeted journalists working for Iran International, an independent media organisation based in London.