British counterterrorism police have arrested seven men, four of them Iranian nationals, over an alleged terror plot targeting a location in London. The arrests were made on Saturday in various locations across England, including London, Manchester, and Swindon.
The suspects, aged 29 to 46, are being held on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. They remain in custody for questioning, and no formal charges have yet been filed. Authorities are continuing to search multiple properties as part of the investigation.
Police have not disclosed the exact target of the alleged plot, citing “operational reasons,” and said they are still determining the motive. Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command, confirmed that officers are working to establish whether there is any continued risk to the public.
In a separate, unrelated case, three additional Iranian men aged 39, 44, and 55 were arrested in London on suspicion of offenses related to national security. These arrests are part of another investigation and not connected to the terror plot.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the arrests as “serious events” that reflect the evolving nature of national security threats. “The government continues to work closely with police and intelligence agencies to ensure the safety of the country,” she said.
While police have not confirmed any direct connection to Iran, the U.K.’s domestic intelligence agency, MI5, has previously warned about Tehran-linked threats. In October, MI5 chief Ken McCallum revealed that 20 Iranian-backed plots had been disrupted since 2022, many targeting dissidents in the U.K.
One such case occurred in March 2024 when Pouria Zeraati, a London-based presenter critical of the Iranian regime, was stabbed. Two suspects were later arrested in Romania and charged.
The U.K.’s current national terror threat level remains at “substantial,” indicating that an attack is considered likely.