Nation on excessive alert since MI5 warning final yr about ‘doubtlessly deadly’ Iran-backed actions.
The UK has arrested eight males, together with seven Iranian nationals, as a part of two investigations relating to alleged threats to nationwide safety.
London’s Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrests on Sunday, saying 5 males, together with 4 of the Iranian nationals, have been detained on suspicion of “preparation of a terrorist act” whereas the opposite three are being held below national security laws launched in 2023 to counter the actions of hostile states.
Within the first operation, which occurred on Saturday, counterterrorism police arrested 4 Iranians together with the opposite particular person, whose nationality was nonetheless being established, in London, Swindon and the Better Manchester space in relation to “a suspected plot to focus on a particular premises”.
The 5 males have been aged 29 to 46. The 4 Iranians have been arrested below the Terrorism Act whereas the fifth man was detained below the Police and Prison Proof Act.
“It is a fast-moving investigation,” Metropolitan Police counterterrorism chief Dominic Murphy mentioned, including that police have been exploring “numerous traces of enquiry to ascertain any potential motivation in addition to to determine whether or not there could also be any additional danger to the general public linked to this matter”.
Within the second operation, which occurred on the identical day, counterterrorism police arrested three Iranian nationals aged 39, 44 and 55 in London below the Nationwide Safety Act, which provides legislation enforcement higher powers to disrupt “state threats”, together with international interference and espionage.
The Metropolitan Police mentioned on Sunday that the three London arrests have been “not related to the arrest of 5 folks yesterday”.
House Secretary Yvette Cooper described the threats as “critical”, saying the federal government was working with police and intelligence businesses to “preserve the nation secure”.
The arrests have been made amid heightened concerns about Iranian operations on UK soil after the top of Britain’s MI5 home intelligence service mentioned final yr that the UK had uncovered 20 Iran-backed plots posing “doubtlessly deadly threats” since 2022.
In 2023, an Austrian nationwide was convicted of finishing up “hostile reconnaissance” in opposition to the London headquarters of Iran Worldwide, a broadcaster that’s crucial of Iran’s authorities.
The next yr, a British journalist of Iranian origin who labored for Iran Worldwide was stabbed in London.
In February a former British soldier was sentenced to 14 years in prison after being discovered responsible of spying for Iran.
Iran has repeatedly rejected recommendations that it has been behind plots to assault the UK.
In March, Tehran summoned the British ambassador in response to the accusations and conveyed a proper protest.
And in October, Iranian Ministry of Overseas Affairs spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei accused the UK of internet hosting “terrorist” teams that promote violence.
