British police arrested eight individuals, including seven Iranians, on Saturday during two separate counterterrorism operations.
In one of these operations, five men were detained—four of whom are Iranian—due to suspicions of “preparing for terrorist acts,” according to a statement from the London metropolitan police.
The arrests occurred in London, Swindon, and the Greater Manchester area, based on suspicions of “terrorist crimes.”
The individuals, aged between 29 and 46, are being held in police custody as part of an investigation into “a suspected conspiracy to target a specific facility,” which has not been named.
Four of the arrested are Iranian men detained under terrorism laws.
The fifth individual, whose nationality remains unclear, was arrested under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act.
These arrests come amid increased scrutiny regarding Iran-backed activities in the UK. Ken McCulm, a domestic spy, mentioned last year that he had responded to a Tehran-backed plot since 2022 that could potentially threaten British citizens.
Home Minister Yvette Cooper remarked that the incidents reflect the UK’s response to “national security threats.”
“This is a rapidly evolving investigation, and we are collaborating closely with parties at the affected locations to keep them informed,” stated Dominique Murphy, the Metropolitan Police’s counterterrorism director.
He also noted that the investigation is in its early stages, examining various angles to understand possible motivations and assess if there is any continued risk to the public.
In a separate counterterrorism operation, three other Iranian men were arrested in London on the same day.
