Israeli embassy in London was target of suspected terror plot

The Israeli embassy successful London was the alleged people of 5 Iranian men arrested connected suspicion of preparing an enactment of terrorism, the BBC understands.

Police person not yet confirmed that the embassy successful Kensington was the suspected target, arsenic archetypal reported by the Times, citing operational reasons. But the BBC understands the study is accurate.

Commander Dominic Murphy, caput of the Metropolitan Police counter-terrorism command, said it was a "fast-moving" probe and determination were "significant operational reasons" wherefore the unit could not supply further details.

Iran "categorically rejects" immoderate involvement, said the Iranian overseas minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, connected the societal media tract X.

He added his state was acceptable to assistance with the investigation.

The men - 2 aged 29, a 40-year-old, a 24-year-old and different aged 46 - were arrested connected Saturday implicit an alleged program to people "a circumstantial premises", the Met said.

The men were arrested successful Swindon, westbound London, Stockport, Rochdale and Manchester.

Four of the men are continuing to beryllium questioned nether the Terrorism Act. The 5th man, who was detained nether the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE), was released connected bail until a day successful May.

Officers carried retired searches astatine a fig of addresses successful Greater Manchester, London and Swindon arsenic portion of the investigation.

Footage showed equipped officers taking a antheral from a location successful Rochdale, portion different antheral was dragged done the thoroughfare successful Swindon with integrative bags implicit his arms.

Commander Murphy said "as soon arsenic imaginable we volition look to stock further details and successful the meantime we would inquire the nationalist to stay vigilant."

Speaking successful the Commons connected Tuesday, Home Office curate Dan Jarvis said hundreds of officers were carrying retired forensic investigations astatine antithetic sites crossed the country.

He said the arrests were "some of the largest counter-state threats and counter-terrorism actions that we person seen successful caller times".

The 5 arrests took spot connected the aforesaid time arsenic 3 different Iranian men were arrested arsenic portion of a abstracted counter-terrorism investigation.

They were arrested nether conception 27 of the National Security Act 2023, which authorises constabulary to detain those suspected of "foreign powerfulness menace activity".