British police on Sunday announced the arrest of five men, including four Iranian nationals, on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act.
The arrests took place in London, Swindon, and the Greater Manchester area on Saturday. All five suspects, aged between 29 and 46, were detained by Counter Terrorism Police on suspicion of terrorism-related offences.
According to a statement from the Metropolitan Police, the arrests are linked to “a suspected plot to target a specific premises,” though the exact location has not been disclosed. Officers confirmed that the men remain in custody and that one suspect’s nationality is still being established.
“This is a fast-moving investigation and we are working closely with those at the affected site to keep them informed,” said Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.
He added: “The investigation is still in its early stages, and we are exploring a number of lines of enquiry to determine any potential motive and whether there is any further risk to the public.”
In a separate operation also carried out on Saturday, three more Iranian nationals—aged 39, 44, and 55—were arrested in London under the National Security Act. This legislation grants authorities broader powers to address threats such as espionage and foreign interference.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper issued a statement thanking police for their efforts. “These are serious events that demonstrate the ongoing need to adapt our response to national security threats,” she told the PA news agency.
“The government continues to work alongside the police and intelligence services to support all necessary actions and security assessments to keep the country safe.”
