Two Iranian men charged over alleged plot against Manchester's Jewish community
Police say the men were in contact with a third party who may be in Iran. The charges come a year after a deadly attack on a Manchester synagogue.
Two Iranian nationals have been charged with preparing an act of terrorism targeting the Jewish community in Manchester, England, around Yom Kippur.
Two Iranian men have been charged in Britain with preparing an act of terrorism against the Jewish community in Manchester, in a case police say may be linked to someone in Iran.
Rahman Salehi, 34, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36, are accused of preparing to commit, or helping another person commit, an act of terrorism in Manchester on or before Yom Kippur, which fell on September 20, Al Jazeera reported. They were arrested in the city that day.
The case comes as Britain's Jewish community remains on edge a year after the attack on Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester on October 2, 2025, in which two people were killed.
Prosecutors allege the men tried to obtain components for an improvised explosive device and carried out reconnaissance of possible targets.
"It is alleged that the two men were in contact with an overseas third-party who may be in Iran," police said.
Britain's Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said of Iran: "They target our Jewish communities and try to silence their critics overseas, often through proxies."
The two men appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on Friday and were remanded in custody. They are due at the Old Bailey on October 23.
Both men arrived in Britain by small boat from Europe several years ago, according to Al Jazeera. One had been granted asylum and the other had an asylum claim pending.
The charges come amid heightened concern in Britain over Iranian activity during the US-Israeli war with Iran. Al Jazeera reported that a separate alleged plot involving the RAF Fairford air base and a dual British-Iranian national is also before the courts.
Neither man has entered a plea.
