UK arrests in counter-terrorism operations, update

The five men, including four Iranian nationals, who were apprehended on Saturday, May 3, 2025, in various locations throughout the United Kingdom (UK) on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack in London, are currently being interrogated. According to official sources from the Metropolitan Police in London, the identity of the alleged target of the attack has not been disclosed to the public due to security concerns. Concurrently, three other Iranian men, aged 39, 44, and 55, were apprehended in London by the British counter-terrorism unit in a separate investigation linked to a potential threat to national security. Despite the absence of a definitive connection between the individuals detained and the Iranian government, the British intelligence agency MI5 has persistently voiced concerns regarding potential operations associated with Tehran. As revealed by Ken McCallum, the Director of MI5, at least 20 ‘life-threatening’ plots with links to Iran have been thwarted since 2022. These plots frequently targeted dissidents residing in the UK. The United Kingdom’s current terrorism threat level remains at ‘substantial,’ indicating that an attack is probable.