British police arrested eight men, including seven Iranian nationals, in two sweeping counter-terrorism and national security operations across England on Saturday. The arrests, spanning cities including London, Rochdale, Manchester, and Swindon, were part of separate but simultaneous investigations led by the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command (CTC).
Five of the suspects were detained over an alleged plot to target an unnamed premises. Four were arrested under the Terrorism Act and all five are suspected of preparing acts of terrorism. Explosive entry and military support were used in at least one raid, underscoring the seriousness of the threat.
In a separate operation, three Iranian men in London were arrested under the National Security Act for suspected “foreign power threat activity” — a charge commonly linked to espionage or sabotage. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper called it one of the most significant operations in recent years, citing the scale and coordination involved. Investigations are ongoing, with hundreds of officers and staff involved in both cases.
