Eight Men Arrested in UK Counterterrorism Operations, Including Seven Iranian Nationals

A sign stands in front of the New Scotland Yard, the headquarters of the London Metropolitan Police, in London, Monday, Sept. 25, 2023.

Eight men, including seven Iranian nationals, have been arrested across England in two separate counterterrorism investigations led by the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command (CTC). The arrests were carried out on Saturday, May 3, as part of ongoing efforts to address threats to national security.

In the first operation, five men were arrested in a coordinated effort across Swindon, west London, Stockport, Rochdale, and Manchester. This pre-planned investigation focused on a suspected plot to target a specific premises, the identity of which has not been disclosed for operational reasons. The site has been informed and is receiving support from police.

Footage showed one of the men being arrested

Four of the five men—two aged 29, one aged 40, and another aged 46—are Iranian nationals. The age and nationality of the fifth suspect are still being confirmed. Four of the individuals were detained under the Terrorism Act on suspicion of preparing an act of terrorism, while the fifth was arrested under the Police and Criminal Evidence (Pace) Act. All remain in police custody.

Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command, stated that the investigation remains in its early stages and that multiple lines of inquiry are being pursued to determine the motive and assess any additional threat to public safety. He urged the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity.

In a separate and unrelated operation, three other Iranian men aged 39, 44, and 55 were arrested under the National Security Act at addresses in north-west and west London. These arrests are also part of an investigation led by the CTC. All three suspects remain in custody while searches of the properties continue.

The two operations are not linked, according to police. The Met’s Counter Terrorism Command continues to lead both investigations with support from Greater Manchester Police, Wiltshire Police, and counter-terrorism officers nationwide.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper acknowledged the seriousness of the arrests, highlighting the need to continuously adapt responses to evolving national security threats. She thanked the police and intelligence services for their swift action to protect the public. Health Secretary Wes Streeting also praised the daily efforts of law enforcement and security personnel, though he declined to comment further on the investigations.

The UK’s counterterrorism framework remains active, with the terror threat level set at “substantial,” indicating that an attack is likely.