As part of two investigations into alleged threats to national security, the United Kingdom has detained eight men, including seven Iranian nationals.
The arrests were confirmed by London’s Metropolitan Police on Sunday, with four of the Iranian nationals being detained on suspicion of “preparing for a terrorist act,” while the other three are being held in accordance with 2023 national security law to stop hostile states from acting.
In connection with “a suspected plot to target a specific premises,” counterterrorism police detained four Iranians in London, Swindon, and the Greater Manchester area during the first operation, which took place on Saturday. One of the individuals whose nationality is still being established.
Between 29 and 46, the five men were. The fifth Iranian was detained under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act while the fourth four were detained under the Terrorism Act.
Metropolitan Police’s counterterrorism chief Dominic Murphy stated that “this is a quick-moving investigation,” adding that detectives are looking into “various lines of enquiry to determine any potential motivations as well as identify any potential risks to the public in connection with this matter.”
In accordance with the National Security Act, which gives law enforcement more authority to stop “state threats,” including foreign interference and espionage, in the second operation, which took place on the same day, counterterrorism police in London detained three Iranian nationals, ages 39, 44, and 55, in accordance with the National Security Act.
The three arrests in London were “not connected to the arrest of five people yesterday,” according to the Metropolitan Police on Sunday.
The government was working with police and intelligence agencies to “keep the country safe,” according to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who described the threats as “serious.”
Following the statement made last year by the head of Britain’s MI5 domestic intelligence service that the UK had discovered 20 Iran-backed plots posing “potentially lethal threats” since 2022, the arrests came amid heightened concerns about Iranian operations on British soil.
An Austrian national was found guilty of conducting “hostile reconnaissance” against Iran International, a broadcaster that criticizes Iran’s government in 2023.
A British journalist of Iranian descent who worked for Iran International wasstabbed in London the following year.
After being found guilty of spying for Iran, a former British soldier was given a 14-year prison sentence in February.
Iran has consistently refuted claims that it is responsible for UK-attacking plots.
In response to the accusations, Tehran issued a formal protest in March.
Additionally, Esmaeil Baghaei, a spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, claimed that the UK is home to “terrorist” organizations that promote violence in October.
