The Israeli embassy in London is reportedly the focus of a terrorist plot linked to a group of Iranian nationals detained by police following several notable attacks throughout the UK on Saturday, according to sources.
Four men have been taken into custody and are currently being interrogated about potential terrorist activities targeting what officials have referred to as “specific facilities.”
While sources indicate that the Israeli embassy located in Kensington, west London, is the site in question, an embassy spokesperson declined to provide any comment when approached.
Interior Secretary Yvette Cooper characterized the arrests as part of a counter-terrorism initiative, highlighting some of the significant threats observed in recent years.
Authorities, including police and the security service MI5, believe the plot was evolving and possibly nearing execution when the suspects were apprehended over the weekend. These arrests took place in various locations, including Swindon, Stockport, and Rochdale.
Fearing that an attack was imminent, armed officers and special forces moved in to apprehend the four men, whose ages range from 29 to 46.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis stated that officers would reach out to representatives of the affected facilities to offer relevant security advice and support.
Investigations are ongoing to determine whether the plot had links to Tehran and if its security agencies, such as the Ministry of Intelligence or the Islamic Revolutionary Guards, might be involved.
Targeting the Israeli Embassy carries significant risks, not to mention potential political repercussions, given its high level of protection.
At the time of the arrests, authorities believed the suspects were trying to acquire weapons for an attack on the embassy.
The decision to carry out the arrests was made by a collaborative group involving police and MI5. Searches at the two relevant sites continued through Wednesday, several days after the initial arrests.
MI5 director Ken McCallum remarked in October that Iran had influenced what he termed the UK’s “post-plot plot,” noting five new planned attacks uncovered last year, totaling 20 since the beginning of 2022.
Historically, there was a suicide bombing targeting the Israeli embassy in Argentina in 1992, resulting in 29 fatalities and carried out by a group linked to Hezbollah, an Iranian-affiliated Lebanese organization.
Authorities can detain those involved in the alleged terrorist activities until Saturday, after which they will decide whether to seek further detention or release the suspects.
A fifth Iranian man arrested in the Manchester area is being held under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act and is currently out on bail until May.
Ministers and detectives have declined to comment on the immigration status of the detained individuals or the legality of their entry into the country.
Discussions are ongoing between police and the counter-terrorism division of the Crown Prosecutor’s Office regarding criminal charges in England and Wales. A spokesperson from the CPS noted that they are collaborating with counter-terrorism investigators as the case unfolds.
Additionally, three other Iranian men were arrested in London over the weekend on separate spying allegations, aged 39, 44, and 55, and were detained under Section 27 of the 2023 National Security Act.
