Two Iranian nationals accused of planning an attack on Jews in Manchester

British authorities have charged two Iranian men suspected of preparing a terrorist attack against the Jewish community in Manchester.

Rahman Salehi, 35, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36, face charges of preparing an act of terrorism or assisting another person in carrying one out. According to counterterrorism police, they are suspected of intending to use an improvised explosive device.

Investigators allege that the suspects used encrypted applications to obtain various materials and components intended for building the device.

Police said Salehi and Ahmadyan had also obtained instructional videos on assembling it, while they are suspected of having gathered liquids, ingredients and other necessary equipment.

According to the charges, they searched online for information about potential targets, collected photographs, plans and maps, and carried out reconnaissance activities in the field.

They were arrested on September 20, on the eve of Yom Kippur, which is considered the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Both were detained on Newton Street, in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, and were later taken into custody at a police station in London.

Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 was applied to them, while counterterrorism police obtained authorization to extend the period of questioning.

The Metropolitan Police, which is leading the investigation, announced that searches had also been carried out at several properties on Epworth Street in Liverpool and Lancaster Road in Salford.

Vicki Evans, the national senior coordinator for counterterrorism policing, said the joint operation with the security services had thwarted what authorities consider to be a plot targeting Manchester’s Jewish community.

Evans warned that there are also broader threats linked to Iran that are suspected of being directed against the United Kingdom.

She clarified that this case is unrelated to the investigation into the incident at RAF Fairford air base.

British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the arrests show that the threat from terrorists and foreign state actors remains present.

According to her, the development is particularly concerning for Jewish communities, as the arrests were made around the period of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.