In a developing investigation, UK counter-terrorism officers have been granted additional time to question four Iranian men suspected of plotting to attack the Israeli embassy in London.
The arrests took place on May 3 as part of a national operation targeting terrorism suspects.
The Arrests and Investigation
Police detained five individuals on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act, in violation of the Terrorism Act.
Four of them were arrested under the Terrorism Act for their alleged involvement in a plot targeting the embassy in Kensington, a district in west London.
The fifth man, a 24-year-old from Manchester, was held under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act but was later released on conditional bail.
The suspects were originally scheduled for release, but the police have now been granted an additional week to hold the four Iranian men while they continue their investigation.
The suspects were arrested in various locations: Swindon, Stockport, west London, and Rochester.
Police are also conducting searches in Greater Manchester, London, and Swindon.
Police Operations and Arrest Details
Photos from the raids show a tense scene in Rochdale, where armed officers escorted a suspect from a property.
Meanwhile, undercover police in Swindon were seen making an arrest after posing as café customers.
The officers dragged the suspect through the street and into a police van.
Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command, confirmed the ongoing investigation’s complexity.
He urged the public not to speculate or share unverified information, emphasizing the critical reasons for withholding further details.
Murphy also reassured the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
Broader Context and Further Arrests
Alongside the four suspects linked to the embassy plot, three other Iranian men were arrested in connection with a separate case under counter-terrorism legislation.
In the aftermath of these arrests, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper ordered security reviews, underscoring the seriousness of the threats faced.
She acknowledged the involvement of Iranian nationals but also highlighted the broader, complex nature of the challenges to national security.
Security minister Dan Jarvis provided more details to MPs, revealing that the investigation relates to a targeted attack on specific premises.
Police have reached out to the affected site, offering security advice and assistance.
Investigators have yet to confirm details about the nature of the attack, although there are suspicions it could be state-sponsored.
Rising Tensions and Historical Context
This recent plot adds to a growing list of incidents involving Iranian-backed attacks on Israeli embassies in Europe.
In 2024, Sweden’s security service (Sapo) suggested Iran’s involvement in two attacks against Israeli targets, including shots fired at the embassy in Stockholm and explosions near the embassy in Copenhagen.
Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, also linked Iranian-backed criminals to a series of attacks, including an explosive device found at the Stockholm embassy in January and an airsoft grenade attack on the Israeli embassy in Belgium in May 2024.
The situation continues to evolve as authorities work to uncover the full scope of the plot.
The investigation is still ongoing, and officials are focusing on preventing any further threats to national security.