UK terror plot foiled as four Iranians among five suspects arrested

British counter-terrorism officers have arrested five men suspected of plotting a terrorist attack on a specific site in the UK, the BBC reported Sunday, citing a statement by the Metropolitan Police.

The arrests, part of a nationwide, pre-planned operation, were made on Saturday and involved multiple law enforcement agencies. Four of the suspects have been identified as Iranian nationals: two 29-year-old men, one aged 40, and another aged 46. The fifth suspect, arrested in Manchester, has not yet been publicly identified.

The arrests took place in several cities, including Swindon, Stockport, Rochdale, west London, and Manchester. The four Iranian suspects were arrested under the Terrorism Act, while the fifth man was held under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act.

All remain in custody as the investigation continues. Authorities say relevant sites have been notified and security measures are in place. Property searches are ongoing across Greater Manchester, London, and Swindon, with the case led by the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command and supported by local and national counter-terror units.