UK Police Arrest Seven Iranians in Separate Counterterrorism and National Security Operations

The Metropolitan Police confirmed on Sunday that eight men have been arrested in two separate operations aimed at countering terrorism and hostile foreign activity. All eight are Iranian nationals or of suspected Iranian origin. Authorities say the arrests underscore the UK’s increasing concerns over state-linked threats and covert operations on British soil.

Coordinated Terror Plot Disrupted in First Operation

In the first operation, conducted on Saturday, counterterrorism officers arrested five men—four identified as Iranian nationals and a fifth whose nationality remains unconfirmed. The arrests occurred across several locations including London, Swindon, and the Greater Manchester area.

According to the Metropolitan Police, the operation was launched in response to a “suspected plot to attack a specific premises.” However, officials have not disclosed the nature or location of the intended target. The suspects, ranging in age from 29 to 46, were taken into custody under different statutes: the four Iranian nationals were arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000, while the fifth individual was taken into custody under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.

“This is a fast-moving investigation,” said Commander Dominic Murphy, who heads the Counter Terrorism Command. “Multiple lines of inquiry are being explored to determine the suspects’ motivations and assess whether any further threat to public safety exists.”

Espionage Concerns Drive Second Set of Arrests

A separate operation, also on Saturday, resulted in the arrest of three more Iranian nationals—aged 39, 44, and 55—under the National Security Act 2023. This legislation, introduced last year, expands law enforcement’s powers to tackle espionage, foreign political interference, and state-backed threats.

Authorities emphasized that these three arrests were not connected to the earlier counterterrorism operation, but both sets of detentions reflect a growing pattern of concern over the activities of Iranian nationals and state-linked actors in the UK.

The National Security Act 2023 was enacted amid rising concerns over foreign intelligence activity, particularly from hostile states. The law allows UK authorities to pursue suspected operatives with broader legal tools and enhanced investigative capabilities.

Political Response and Longstanding Tensions

The arrests were described as “a serious matter” by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to collaborating closely with police and intelligence agencies to ensure the country’s safety.

The arrests come amid mounting evidence of Iranian-linked operations targeting individuals and institutions within the UK. In 2023, MI5 Director General Ken McCallum disclosed that over 20 Iranian-linked plots had been disrupted since 2022—many posing “potentially lethal threats.”

Members of the UK’s Iranian diaspora, especially critics of the Tehran regime, have become frequent targets. A 2023 conviction saw an Austrian citizen found guilty of conducting “hostile reconnaissance” on the offices of Iran International, a London-based Persian-language news outlet critical of the Iranian government. In 2024, an Iranian-British journalist associated with the channel was stabbed in what investigators believe was a politically motivated attack. Earlier this year, a former British soldier received a 14-year prison sentence for espionage on behalf of Iran.

Any involvement in these incidents has been denied by the Iranian government. In March 2025, the British ambassador was summoned by Tehran to receive a formal complaint, in which the UK was accused of harboring opposition groups labeled as terrorist organizations by Iran. Similar accusations were reiterated by Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei in late 2024.

Despite Tehran’s denials, British intelligence and government officials continue to view Iranian-linked activity as a mounting national security risk. Analysts warn that the UK’s firm approach to confronting such threats may further strain diplomatic relations with Iran in the months ahead.

News Source: Aljazeera