UK Arrests Eight Iranian Nationals in Counterterrorism Operations Amid State-Sponsored Threats
Eight men, predominantly Iranian nationals, have been arrested in the UK amid concerns of state-sponsored terrorism.
Summary
British authorities have arrested eight men, predominantly Iranian nationals, in two separate counterterrorism operations believed to be linked to state-sponsored threats. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described these as significant operations facing complex challenges to national security. Five men aged 29-46 were detained for allegedly planning a terrorist act targeting an unspecified site across various parts of the UK, including London, Swindon, and Manchester. Three others were arrested under the National Security Act for suspicions of involvement with a foreign power. Ongoing investigations aim to uncover potential connections between the plots and broader risks to public safety.
Sources (6)
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The Guardian·17d· "…The nature of either plot was not publicly known but security services have warned about the growing threat from Iran-backed criminals."
Al Jazeera·17d· "…The arrests were made amid heightened concerns about Iranian operations on UK soil after the head of Britain’s MI5 domestic intelligence service said last year that the UK had uncovered 20 Iran-backed plots posing “potentially lethal threats” since 2022."
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- 17d