Two Iranian nationals charged over alleged terrorism plot targeting Jewish community in U.K.

British authorities have charged two Iranian citizens in connection with an alleged scheme to launch a terrorist attack against the Jewish community in northern England, law enforcement officials announced on Friday.

Police identified the accused individuals as 34-year-old Rahman Salehi and 36-year-old Salam Ahmadyan. Both men, who were taken into custody in Manchester earlier in the month, face charges of engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorist acts on or prior to September 20. Authorities stated that the planned attack was aimed at Manchester's Jewish community ahead of Yom Kippur, the most sacred holiday on the Jewish calendar.

According to statements from the Metropolitan Police, the pair had gathered materials capable of producing an improvised explosive device and had carried out surveillance on potential targets. Investigators also allege that Salehi and Ahmadyan were communicating with an overseas contact who may be situated in Iran.

The charges follow a separate counterterrorism incident earlier in the week near RAF Fairford, a military airfield situated approximately 90 minutes west of London that is utilized by the U.S. Air Force. On Sunday, five British citizens in their early to mid-20s were detained on suspicion of terrorism and explosives violations after three vehicles drew suspicion near the installation. Those five suspects were subsequently freed on bail, while a dual British-Iranian national was arrested on Thursday in connection with the same event.

Officials noted that there were significant signs pointing toward Iranian involvement in the activity outside RAF Fairford, though Tehran has rejected any link to the events.

Counterterrorism officials emphasized that the two investigations remain entirely distinct. Vicki Evans, the senior national coordinator for counterterrorism policing, confirmed that the Manchester allegations have no ties to the airfield security inquiry.

Evans observed that recent events have highlighted broader hostile activities directed toward Britain, while assuring the public that counterterrorism teams and intelligence partners are deploying all available resources to neutralize threats and ensure national security.