Two Iranian nationals charged with planning Manchester attack on Jewish community

British authorities have charged Iranian nationals Rahman Salehi, 34, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36, with preparing a terrorist attack against the Jewish community in Manchester on or before the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur, which began on September 20. The Crown Prosecution Service said the pair were accused of seeking components for an improvised explosive device and scouting potential targets. Police indicated the plot was disrupted and that the men had been in contact with an overseas individual believed to be based in Iran.

Both men were arrested in Manchester on September 20 and are scheduled to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood noted that the suspects arrived in the UK several years ago, with one granted asylum and the other holding a pending asylum claim. She added that Iran poses a serious threat to the country and that its regime targets Jewish communities and critics abroad through proxies and criminal networks.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, senior national coordinator for counter-terrorism policing, said the timing of the charges during a high holy day has heightened concern within the Jewish community and the broader public, and noted the case follows last year’s deadly attack on the Heaton Park synagogue. Detectives clarified that the Manchester case is unrelated to a separate alleged plot involving a UK-Iranian dual national and RAF Fairford air base.