Iranian Nationals Arrested in UK Plotting Synagogue Attack

British media outlets report growing speculation that the eight men arrested in the United Kingdom over the weekend, including seven Iranian nationals, may have been just hours away from carrying out an attack on a synagogue.

The Telegraph reported that the intended target “may have been a synagogue or another location linked to the Jewish community,” while sources cited by the Daily Mail suggested that soldiers from the Special Air Service (SAS), an elite British Army unit, likely participated in the arrest raids. The sources also claimed a “major attack” was being planned on U.K. premises, though authorities have not confirmed these reports.

British police arrested eight men over the weekend in two separate investigations into alleged terror plots involving mostly Iranian nationals.

Five men were arrested early Saturday in Swindon, west London, Stockport, Rochdale, and Manchester. Four of them are Iranian nationals. The Metropolitan Police said the group was planning an attack on a specific location, which has not been publicly identified.

In a separate investigation, three Iranian men aged 39, 44, and 55 were arrested in London on suspicion of being involved in threat activity on behalf of Iran. All of the suspects remain in police custody.

Officials initially said the two cases were unrelated but authorities are now investigating possible links between them, including whether they may have been directed by the same entity.

According to NBC News, a senior official briefed on the threat said the investigations are likely dealing with state-sponsored activity.

Since 2022, the U.K.’s MI5 intelligence agency has responded to 20 plots linked to Iran. Past incidents include threats and attacks against dissidents and journalists in the U.K.