Multiple Iranian nationals were detained across England in a major counterterrorism operation aimed at preventing a potential attack on an undisclosed location.
According to Breitbart, British counterterrorism officers arrested seven Iranian men in two separate operations, with four suspects allegedly involved in planning a terrorist attack and three others detained over national security concerns.
The Metropolitan Police force conducted coordinated raids on Saturday, apprehending five men between ages 29 and 46 under the Terrorism Act. Four of the suspects were confirmed to be Iranian citizens, while authorities continue to establish the nationality of the fifth individual. The operations spanned across London, Manchester, and Swindon.
Major counterterror operation unfolds across England
Forensic teams were spotted at a residence in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, where one suspect was apprehended. Local resident Kyle Warren described witnessing a dramatic arrest involving dozens of armed police officers who forcefully detained a man from a neighboring house.
Commander Dominic Murphy, who leads the Counter Terrorism Command, stated that investigators are working to determine the suspects' motives and assess potential public safety risks. The alleged plot targeted a specific location, which remains unnamed for operational reasons.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized the significance of these operations, describing them as among the most substantial counter-state threats and counterterrorism actions in recent years. She highlighted the ongoing investigation's importance in determining possible connections to the Iranian state.
Growing concerns over Iranian state aggression
MI5's head, Ken McCallum, previously revealed that security services and police have disrupted 20 potentially lethal Iranian-backed plots since 2022. Most of these schemes targeted Iranian dissidents residing in the United Kingdom.
The arrests come shortly after a March 2024 incident involving Pouria Zeraati, a presenter at an Iranian opposition television station, who was stabbed outside his London home. Two suspects were subsequently arrested in Romania in connection with the attack.
The current terror threat level in the United Kingdom remains at "substantial," indicating that an attack is considered likely.
Law enforcement response and ongoing investigation
Police are conducting thorough searches of several properties across the targeted regions. The suspects are being questioned at various police stations, and no charges have been filed yet.
Cooper shared her perspective on the complexity of the operations:
These were two major operations that reflect some of the biggest counter-state threat and counterterrorism operations that we have seen in recent years. The ongoing investigation is immensely important to determine whether the arrests were connected to the Iranian state. This reflects the complexity of the kinds of challenges to our national security that we continue to face.
The simultaneous arrests in different locations demonstrate the coordinated effort between various law enforcement agencies to prevent potential attacks.
Future developments in Iranian terror case
British counterterrorism forces arrested seven Iranian nationals in two separate operations across England, with four suspects allegedly planning an attack on an undisclosed target. The operations, conducted in London, Manchester, and Swindon, resulted in the detention of men aged between 29 and 46, who are currently being questioned by authorities. As the investigation continues, law enforcement officials are working to establish potential connections to the Iranian state while maintaining heightened security measures at the targeted location.
