Counter-terrorism police in England have arrested seven Iranian nationals in two separate operations, one of which thwarted an alleged imminent terror plot, authorities said. The Metropolitan police announced that five suspects, including four Iranians, were detained as part of a suspected plan to target specific premises, while the nationality of the fifth suspect is still being established.
In the first operation, three of the suspects were arrested in the Manchester area, one in west London, and one in Swindon. Hundreds of officers were involved in the raids, which included armed police storming a property in Rochdale and a detention near a children's play area in Stockport. Commander Dominic Murphy of the Met's counter-terrorism command said the investigation is in its early stages and urged the public to remain vigilant.
In a separate investigation, three Iranian nationals were arrested in London under the National Security Act 2023 on suspicion of engaging in foreign power threat activity on behalf of Iran. Police stressed that the two sets of arrests are not linked. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the operations as reflecting some of the biggest threats seen in recent years, noting that Iranian nationals were involved in both.
Ken McCallum, head of MI5, warned in October that Iran was behind multiple plots in the UK, with 20 planned attacks uncovered since January 2022. He said officers are giving full attention to any increase in Iranian state aggression. Police have not confirmed whether the threat has been fully contained and are investigating potential overseas involvement.
Neighbours in Rochdale and Stockport expressed shock at the armed operations. Sarah Cash, 49, who was prevented from collecting her son near the Stockport arrest, voiced concern about the undisclosed target. Amy Openshaw, 36, whose daughter was playing nearby in Rochdale, said the family was “really terrified”. The alleged target remains unknown for operational reasons.
