Eight men, including Iranian nationals, were arrested in major UK counter-terrorism operations over suspected plots targeting national security.
In what officials are calling the most significant counter-state threat in recent years, eight men – including several Iranian nationals – have been arrested in two major counter-terrorism operations across England.
The coordinated actions, carried out by the Metropolitan Police on Saturday, 3 May, involved dawn raids in various locations. Five individuals were detained on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. Another three were arrested in a separate national security operation.
Five Held Over Suspected Terror Plot
Four Iranian nationals and one other man were arrested on suspicion of preparing an act of terrorism under section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006.
The suspects were picked up in:
- Swindon (29-year-old man)
- West London (46-year-old man)
- Stockport (29-year-old man)
- Rochdale (40-year-old man)
- Manchester (fifth man – nationality unconfirmed)
They remain in custody as investigations continue. According to the Metropolitan Police, this group is suspected of plotting to target a “single premises”. The operation was led by hundreds of officers and is still in its early stages.
Three More Arrested in Separate Operation
In a separate investigation on the same day, three more Iranian men were arrested at addresses in London under section 27 of the National Security Act 2023.
This provision allows police to arrest individuals without a warrant if they suspect involvement in foreign power threat activity.
The arrested individuals include:
- A 39-year-old man in north-west London
- A 44-year-old man in north-west London
- A 55-year-old man in west London
All three remain in police custody. While both operations involved Iranian nationals, police have stressed the cases are not currently being treated as linked.
Dominic Murphy, Head of Counter Terrorism at the Met, told Sky News: “It’s unusual for us to conduct this scale of activity.” He urged the public not to speculate or believe unverified online posts, adding that the investigations are still unfolding.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the arrests as part of “two major operations that reflect some of the biggest counter-state threats and counter terrorism operations that we have seen in recent years.”
She added, “These are major operations that have taken place, and the ongoing investigation is immensely important, and of course, it involves Iranian nationals in both investigations, and we are supporting the police and the security agencies.”
Highlighting the growing complexity of national security threats, Ms Cooper stated: “That is why protecting our national security, including supporting these extremely professional operations and investigations, remains our top priority.”
This comes amid rising concerns over state-backed threats. In October, MI5 chief Ken McCallum revealed that 20 Iranian plots had been foiled in the UK since 2022.
McCallum warned of an “unprecedented pace and scale” of threats from Tehran, some of which posed “potentially lethal” risks to people on British soil.
Iran has already been classified under the enhanced tier of the UK’s upcoming Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), due to take effect in July. Under this law, any individual operating under direction from Iran must declare their involvement or face a five-year prison sentence.
Eyewitnesses described the tense scenes during the arrests. In Rochdale, Kyle Warren told Sky News: “We heard a massive bang and saw loads of police everywhere with guns shouting at us to get inside the house. Then we saw a man getting pulled out from the back, he basically got dragged down the side entry and thrown into all the bushes and then handcuffed. There must have been 20 to 30 police officers.”
These twin operations underline a chilling reality – foreign-backed threats on UK soil are not only real but increasingly sophisticated. With eight suspects now in custody and investigations ongoing, authorities are urging public calm and cooperation.
As the UK braces for the incoming foreign influence legislation, Saturday’s dramatic arrests send a clear message: national security remains a top government and police priority.
