Eight men—seven of whom are believed to be Iranian nationals—have been arrested in two separate counter-terrorism operations carried out by British police. Authorities have emphasized that the two operations are not connected.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that five individuals were arrested on Saturday in a pre-planned operation across multiple locations in England, in connection with a suspected plot to “target a specific location.” Four of the five men—two aged 29, one aged 40, and another aged 46—have been identified as Iranian nationals.
In a separate operation conducted the same day, three additional men of Iranian nationality were arrested in London. These arrests were made under the National Security Act, and investigations are said to be ongoing.
All five men from the first operation were arrested on suspicion of preparing for a terrorist act. Four were detained under the Terrorism Act, while the fifth was held based on other criminal evidence. The arrests were made in Swindon, West London, Stockport, Rochdale, and Manchester. All suspects remain in custody.
The specific location allegedly targeted by the suspects is now under active police surveillance, although its name and nature have not been disclosed.
The investigation is being led by the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command, in cooperation with Greater Manchester Police, Wiltshire Police, and national counter-terrorism officers.
Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command, stated that the investigation remains at an early stage and that “various lines of inquiry” are being pursued to determine a possible motive and assess any potential public risk. The public has been urged to stay alert and to report any suspicious activity.
In the second operation, the three men—aged 39, 44, and 55—were arrested at separate locations in north-west and west London. These arrests were carried out under the National Security Act. Police have reiterated that there is no known connection between the two operations.
The arrests come amid heightened concerns over the Iranian government’s activities in the United Kingdom. British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper commended the police and security services for “the actions taken to protect public safety,” and noted that the incidents “demonstrate the ongoing need to adapt our national security response.”
Iran was designated in March as the first country to be placed on the “enhanced tier” of the UK’s Foreign Influence Registration Scheme—a new initiative aimed at protecting the country against covert operations by foreign states. Under new measures set to take effect later this year, individuals working in the UK on behalf of Iran, its intelligence services, or the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps will be required to register their activities or face criminal penalties.
In a speech delivered six months ago, Ken McCallum, Director General of MI5, accused both Russia and Iran of orchestrating “extensive plans for terror and sabotage” within the UK. It was stated that 20 Iranian plots had been disrupted by British intelligence in the past two years. These allegations have been categorically denied by Iranian authorities.
