Britain narrowly avoided carnage after police and MI5 smashed a suspected Iranian terror plot just hours before it was set to strike.
Seven Iranians were arrested during dramatic counter-terror raids across London, Rochdale, Swindon, Manchester, and Stockport on Saturday night — in what sources are calling “the biggest counter-state threat” in years.
Elite Special Forces stormed two suspected Iranian cells in a “highly significant” operation to halt growing hostile activity from Tehran-backed networks inside the UK.
Senior officials confirmed the suspected attack — targeting a specific UK premises — was imminent and could have cost lives.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper hailed the operation, stating:
“These are some of the biggest counter-terrorism operations we have seen in recent years. The investigations involve Iranian nationals and reflect the complexity of national security threats we continue to face.”
Police were still questioning four men last night “on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act”.
In a separate move, three others were arrested earlier the same day suspected of spying for Iran — marking the first use of new powers under the National Security Act.
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The raids come days before major VE Day 80th anniversary commemorations in London, though sources stressed those events were not the intended target.
Scenes of chaos unfolded in Rochdale where 30 armed officers — backed by Special Forces — blasted into a terraced home at 7pm, hauling a 40-year-old Iranian out wearing only underpants.
Neighbour Amy Openshaw said:
“There was a huge bang, like an explosion. Then I saw men with masks and guns dragging someone out onto the street.
Another local, Lois, described:
“There was a flame and a loud boom when they blew the door in.”
Tensions Growing
MI5 boss Sir Ken McCallum recently warned Iran was plotting attacks at “an unprecedented pace and scale”, with assassination, kidnap, and sabotage plots surging across Britain.
Sir Ken said:
“If you take money from Iran or any hostile state to carry out illegal acts in Britain, you’ll face the full force of the national security apparatus. It’s a choice you’ll regret.”
Since 2022, British intelligence has foiled over 20 lethal plots linked to Iran, mostly targeting dissidents and journalists living in the UK.
Other Arrests:
- A 29-year-old Iranian seized in Swindon town centre.
- A 46-year-old held in west London.
- A 29-year-old detained in Stockport.
- A fifth man arrested in Cheadle Hulme, Manchester.
Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter-Terrorism Command, said:
This is a fast-moving investigation still in its early stages.
Tehran’s networks reportedly use criminal gangs and proxies to carry out “dirty work” against critics abroad.
In 2023, spy Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev was jailed for gathering information on Iran International’s offices in London.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT:
Police and MI5 continue investigations with further arrests possible.
The threat from Iranian state-linked groups remains critical, officials say.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.
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