THE Israeli embassy was reportedly the target of an Iranian terror plot that was foiled by cops at the last minute.
Police launched a major counter-terrorism operation last week and made “urgent” arrests across the country.
Authorities apprehended five individuals, including four Iranians, and announced they had pinpointed the “specific” target of the conspiracy, though they declined to disclose its location.
The target of the attack is now understood to have been the Israeli Embassy in London, The Times reports
Iran firmly denied the claims that its citizens were involved in a scheme against the embassy, implying there was something suspicious about the allegations.
The suspects were seized in Swindon, west London, Stockport, Rochdale and Manchester last Saturday.
Reports indicated that one of the arrested individuals had “close connections” to the Iranian government, and it was noted that elite SAS soldiers collaborated with police during the arrests.
The Metropolitan police obtained warrants to hold four of the men aged between 29 and 46, arrested on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act, until Saturday [10th] for further questioning.
A 24-year-old man, who was detained under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act in Manchester, has now been released on bail, with conditions, to a date in May.
The arrests were understood to be an “urgent” operation with cops acting quickly to halt any would-be attack, sources told The Sun.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said on Sunday night: “These were two major operations that reflect some of the biggest counter-state threats and counter terrorism operations that we have seen in recent years.”
She also thanked the police and security forces for “the action they have taken to keep our country safe”.
Footage of the arrests emerged showing armed counter terrorism officers swooping on a house in Rochdale, Manchester, and later leading out a shirtless man.
Photos from the Swindon end of the operation showed Met Police officers piling onto a a suspect outside a Costa in the town centre.
The Iranian foreign minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, said on Wednesday night: “We are seeing stories in the media that Iranian nationals are allegedly involved in a supposed plot to target the Israeli embassy in London.
“Iran in no uncertain terms categorically rejects any involvement in such actions and confirms that we have not been informed of any allegations via proper diplomatic channels.
“Iran has urged the UK to engage so that we may assist any probe into credible allegations. Timing and lack of engagement suggest that something is amiss.”
He added that there was a “history of third parties bent on derailing diplomacy and provoking escalation resorting to desperate measures, including false flag operations”.
“Iran stands ready to engage to shed light on what has truly inspired, and we reiterate that UK authorities should afford our citizens due process,” he concluded.
The Sun contacted the Israeli embassy for comment.
Tensions have grown between Iran and Israel since the start of the war in Gaza.
The situation almost boiled over into all-out conflict in October 2024 when Iran launched a volley of missiles into Israel.
Israel has continued to weaken Iran’s “axis of resistance” by eroding its influence in Lebanon, Gaza, Syria, Yemen and elsewhere.
There has been direct conflict between the Israel and the Iranian-backed Houthis, with the sides exchanging missiles and fierce words only this week.
Three more Iranian men were arrested in London in a separate but simultaneous operation over concerns they would flee the country or destroy key evidence.
Two men aged 39 and 44 were arrested at separate north-west London addresses, and a 55-year-old nabbed from a west London property.
The London trio were arrested and detained under section 27 of the National Security Act 2023 and remain in custody, a police statement said.
Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Our officers and staff are progressing what is a significant and highly complex investigation, and we still have searches and activity underway at multiple addresses across the country.
“We are working incredibly hard, with public safety at the forefront of our ongoing efforts.
“We believe that a specific premises was the target of this suspected plot and Counter Terrorism Policing officers remain in close contact with the affected premises.
“At this time, we will not be providing further information about the suspected target for reasons of operational security and public safety.
“I would like to ask people to support my officers in this and not to speculate or share information that has not been confirmed by Counter Terrorism Policing. We have clear and critical reasons not to provide more detail at this time.
“The investigation is still in its early stages and we are exploring various lines of enquiry to establish any potential motivation as well as to identify whether there may be any further risk to the public linked to this matter.
“As always, I would ask the public to remain vigilant and if they see or hear anything that concerns them, then to contact us.
“We are working closely with local officers in the areas where we made arrests on Saturday and I’d like to thank police colleagues around the country for their ongoing support.”
