Iranian men arrested in Greater Manchester counter-terror probe believed to be planning attack on Israeli embassy
The Metropolitan Police said the five male suspects were arrested at various locations across the UK, including three in Greater Manchester
A group of Iranian nationals who were arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act were believed to have planned to target the Israeli embassy in London, it's understood.
The Metropolitan Police said the five male suspects were arrested at various locations across the UK, including three in Greater Manchester, after a suspected plot 'to target a single premises'.
The embassy, based in Kensington, is understood to have been the target of the alleged plot - but the police are yet to confirm and share further details on the ongoing investigation.
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The Manchester Evening News reported earlier this week that three men were arrested after specialist officers descended on East Street in Rochdale, Heathbank Road in Stockport, and an undisclosed location in Manchester on Saturday (May 3).
Counter-terror officers from the Met worked with GMP to swoop in and make arrests. Two other men were also arrested in Swindon and London.
Four of the suspects arrested on Saturday remain in police custody for questioning after magistrates granted detectives warrants of further detention allowing all four to be held until May 10. The fifth man, who police said was arrested 'in the Manchester area', has been released on bail with 'strict' conditions.
Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s counter-terrorism command, said: “There are significant operational reasons why we cannot provide further information at this time.
“As soon as possible we will look to share further details and in the meantime we would ask the public to remain vigilant and contact us if you have any concerns.”
The five arrested were a 29-year-old man in the Swindon area, a 46-year-old man in west London, a 29-year-old man in the Stockport area, a 40-year-old man in the Rochdale area and a 24-year-old man in the Manchester area.
The first four men were arrested on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act, contrary to section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006, and the fifth was detained under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act.
It came after three other Iranian men were arrested at three addresses in London as part of a separate counter-terrorism operation under section 27 of the National Security Act 2023.
Security minister Dan Jarvis told the Commons on Tuesday (May 6) the two operations that took place were some of the 'largest counter state threats and counter-terrorism actions we have seen in recent times'.
In October last year, the head of MI5, Ken McCallum, said authorities had stopped 20 state-backed plots hatched by Iran in the UK since 2022.
However Seyed Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Minister in the Islamic Republic of Iran issued a statement on X, formerly Twitter, adding that 'Iran categorically rejects any involvement' and has 'urged the UK to engage to assist any probe into credible allegations'.
"We are seeing stories in the media that Iranian nationals are allegedly involved in a supposed plot to target the Israeli embassy in London," he posted.
"Iran in no uncertain terms categorically rejects any involvement in such actions and confirms that we have not been informed of any allegations via proper diplomatic channels.
"Iran has urged the UK to engage so that we may assist any probe into credible allegations. Timing and lack of engagement suggest that something is amiss.
"There is a history of third parties bent on derailing diplomacy and provoking escalation resorting to desperate measures, including false flag operations.
"Iran stands ready to engage to shed light on what has truly transpired, and we reiterate that UK authorities should afford our citizens due process."
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