British police arrest 4 Iranians suspected of plotting terrorist attack

ISTANBUL

British police have arrested four Iranian nationals suspected of plotting a terrorist attack, in what authorities have described as one of the most serious terrorism threats in recent years, with The Guardian claiming the target was the Israeli Embassy in London, though the official target has yet to be determined.

The arrests were made during coordinated raids on Saturday in Swindon, west London, Stockport and Rochdale, the daily reported on Thursday.

The four suspects, all men aged 29 to 46, are being held on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act.

While police have not confirmed the target, The Guardian reported that the alleged plot was directed at Israel's embassy in Kensington, west London.

The Israeli Embassy has not issued a public statement regarding the incident.

British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the counterterrorism operation as a response to “some of the biggest threats we have seen in recent years.”

Reports indicate the suspects were at an advanced stage of planning, prompting law enforcement and the domestic intelligence service MI5 to act swiftly out of concern that the group was attempting to acquire weapons.

Investigators are now examining whether the alleged plot was directed by Iranian authorities, according to the daily.

A fifth Iranian national, aged 24, was also arrested in the Manchester area under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act. He has since been released on bail with conditions pending further investigation.

Separate espionage case

In a separate development, three other Iranian men were arrested in London over the weekend on suspicion of espionage in an unrelated case. The suspects, aged 39, 44, and 55, were detained under the National Security Act 2023.

The UK’s Crown Prosecution Service is working with counter-terrorism officers on both investigations. Officials have not disclosed the immigration status of any of the suspects.

Under British law, police may detain the four primary suspects until Saturday, at which point they must decide to charge them, release them, or seek an extension of up to seven additional days.