UK Police Foil Iranian Plot Targeting Jewish Sites

British security services, including police, MI5, and reportedly elite SAS soldiers, have foiled a major terror plot allegedly orchestrated by Iranian nationals targeting a UK synagogue or another Jewish community location. Coordinated raids over the weekend focused on two suspected Iranian terror cells in west London, Rochdale, Swindon, Manchester, and Stockport, resulting in the arrest of eight men, seven of whom are Iranian nationals. Authorities described the operation as one of the largest counter-terror and counter-state efforts in years, highlighting escalating threats from hostile state actors. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and MI5 chief Sir Ken McCallum emphasized the complexity and severity of Iranian-related threats. The raids occurred days before VE Day events, but police have confirmed those commemorations were not the intended target. The investigation remains active, with ongoing security assessments and police actions.