British authorities just made a high-stakes move, arresting seven Iranian nationals in one of the most serious terror crackdowns in years. The operation may have stopped a deadly plot, with disturbing ties back to Iran’s regime.

UK Foils Suspected Iranian Terror Plot

Counter-terror teams across England have arrested eight men—seven of them Iranian nationals—in a large-scale sting that officials say was aimed at preventing a major attack on British soil. Five of the suspects, aged 29 to 46, were detained under the Terrorism Act, accused of preparing an assault on a specific target within the UK.

Raids were carried out in London, Manchester, Swindon, Stockport, and Rochdale. Armed police stormed homes and apprehended the suspects in dramatic scenes witnessed by locals. Authorities are still investigating the suspects’ motivations, but early reports suggest direct coordination or inspiration from Tehran.

Homes Raided, Suspects Dragged Out

Eyewitnesses described intense moments as tactical units broke down doors. In Rochdale, police with rifles pulled one man from a house, dragging him through bushes before placing him in cuffs. Multiple locations remain under search as investigators work to confirm whether other threats remain.

British Special Forces Foil Iranian Terror Plot in UK, Neutralising Cells Hours Before Planned Attack!!! pic.twitter.com/rwvwUmozg0

— Iranian American (@IranLionness) May 5, 2025

Officials have refused to identify the exact target, but say they are in contact with any parties who may have been in harm’s way. The level of coordination and urgency surrounding this case signals a deeply serious national security threat.

Iran-Backed Plots Escalate in UK

In a separate investigation, three more Iranian men were arrested under the UK’s National Security Act—showing Iran’s activities inside Britain may be far broader than previously known. MI5 has confirmed that 20 Iranian-backed plots have been uncovered since January 2022, many aimed at silencing critics of the Islamic regime.

A UK terrorist attack on a specific target has been foiled.
With rare transparency, the BBC report the nationality of the criminals arrested last night, describing them as ‘Iranians’ as opposed to the usually vague ‘men’.
They didn’t manage it in the headline as CNN did,… pic.twitter.com/3Y0I9hQYdH

— FreeByTheSea (@Free_ByTheSea) May 4, 2025

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper called the operations “serious events” and a reminder of the evolving danger posed by foreign actors inside the UK. Intelligence officials warn Iran is increasingly targeting dissidents overseas, and now, apparently, planning coordinated attacks on British soil.

With the UK’s terror threat level at “substantial,” this sweeping arrest operation underscores the real and rising danger posed by Iranian networks within Western nations.

Sources:

British Police Arrest Iranian Nationals in Counterterrorism Investigations – The New York Times

UK police arrest Iranian men over alleged attack plot in major counterterror operation – DNyuz