Two Iranians Charged in Plot Against UK Jews on Yom Kippur
Authorities allege the suspects acquired explosive materials and planned attacks in Manchester, coinciding with the anniversary of a previous synagogue attack.
Two Iranian nationals have been charged in the United Kingdom with plotting a terrorist attack targeting Jewish people on Yom Kippur, according to British counterterrorism police. The alleged plot, which authorities say involved acquiring homemade explosive materials and planning reconnaissance at potential targets, was aimed at the city of Manchester.
Salam Ahmadyan, 36, and Rahman Salehi, 34, are accused of using encrypted messaging applications to obtain the materials and a document detailing how to construct a bomb. They also allegedly gathered images, plans, and maps of possible locations and conducted surveillance.
The pair's alleged activities occurred around the anniversary of last year's terrorist attack on a synagogue in Manchester, which resulted in the deaths of two worshippers.
Ahmadyan, reportedly based in Liverpool, and Salehi, who resided in Salford near Manchester, are believed to have entered Britain illegally. They were arrested on September 20, the day before Yom Kippur.
British government minister Shabana Mahmood stated that the news would be "deeply distressing for our Jewish communities," particularly in Manchester, as the first anniversary of the Heaton Park Synagogue attack was observed.
This development follows closely on the heels of another alleged Iranian-backed terror plot foiled in Britain. Last weekend, another Iranian national was arrested in London on suspicion of planning an attack near RAF Fairford, a base used by the U.S. Air Force for missions to Iran. Five British nationals were initially arrested in connection with that incident after suspicious vans were found near the base, but they were later released on bail. The explosives in that case were identified as gasoline.
While the two incidents are being treated as separate, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, the Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, noted that the events have "brought into sharp focus some of the wider threats being projected into the UK from Iran."
Iran has officially denied any involvement in the plot targeting RAF Fairford, with its embassy in London issuing a statement refuting claims of proxy involvement in attacks against U.S. forces. No official response has yet been issued by Iran regarding the alleged plot targeting Jewish communities in Manchester.