WANA (May 18) – The British government has released four Iranian citizens who were previously arrested on suspicion of involvement in planning a terrorist attack. The arrests, made under the UK’s Terrorism Act, were part of a wider counterterrorism investigation that had targeted several locations across the country.

 

According to police reports, those detained included:

 

  • A 29-year-old man in Swindon, Wiltshire
  • A 46-year-old man in west London
  • A 29-year-old man in Stockport, Greater Manchester
  • A 40-year-old man in Rochdale

 

All four were arrested under the UK’s anti-terrorism laws. After receiving multiple judicial warrants for their continued detention, investigators carried out extended interrogations and evidence reviews. Authorities eventually decided to release them, although the investigation remains active and open.

 

A fifth suspect, a 24-year-old man from Manchester, was arrested under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) and had already been released on bail under strict conditions.

 

Dominic Murphy, Commander of the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command, stated: “These arrests were made due to concerns about a possible plot targeting a specific location. Detectives have since been reviewing evidence and questioning the suspects. While the individuals have now been released, our investigation remains ongoing.”

 

Earlier this month, on May 4, British police announced the arrest of eight individuals — including seven Iranians — on charges of “conspiracy to carry out a terrorist attack” and “committing offenses against national security.”

 

The case has drawn strong reactions from Iranian officials. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, stating: “The timing of these arrests and the UK’s refusal to engage diplomatically suggest there may be hidden agendas behind this narrative.”

 

In a separate development, on May 9, UK authorities arrested another Iranian national, a 31-year-old man, in northwest London as part of their ongoing counterterrorism efforts.

 

While the British police have not officially confirmed the intended target of the alleged plot, some UK media outlets have speculated that the Israeli embassy in London may have been a potential focus.