UK Police Arrest Eight, Including Seven Iranians, Over Terrorism Plot

British authorities have arrested eight men, including seven Iranian nationals, in two major counterterrorism operations amid heightened concerns over Iran-linked threats in the UK. Five suspects, four of whom are Iranian, were detained on suspicion of plotting an imminent attack targeting a specific site, with reports suggesting Jewish community locations may have been involved. A separate operation led to the arrest of three more Iranian nationals in London under national security legislation for alleged ties to foreign power activities, with officials emphasizing that the two groups are not connected. The raids were described by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper as some of the largest counterterrorism efforts in recent years and reflect the UK's vigilance following warnings about potentially lethal Iran-backed activities. While police continue to investigate motives and potential risks, the arrests represent a marked escalation in the use of Iranian nationals in suspected hostile operations on British soil. Authorities have pledged ongoing support for security services as they assess the evolving threat landscape.