British police said that they charged two Iranian nationals accused of plotting a terror attack against the Jewish community in Manchester on the eve of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
Rahman Salehi, 34, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36, were both charged with preparing to commit or assist another to commit an act of terrorism. They were arrested in Manchester on Sunday 20 September.
Counterterrorism police said the two had allegedly tried to acquire components and equipment to make an improvised explosive device and conduct reconnaissance on potential targets for attack. They reportedly had obtained instructions to make a chlorine bomb. They alleged that the two men were in contact with a third party overseas who may be in Iran.
The suspects reportedly arrived via a small boat in 2020 and 2023. One of them was granted asylum, and the other had a live asylum claim.
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said, "These recent events are a stark reminder of the threats posed against this country from both terrorists and foreign state actors. "Two suspects have been charged with planning a terrorist attack against Jewish communities in Manchester.
"This news will be deeply distressing for our Jewish communities, coming so soon after Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.”
The men are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday, the BBC reported.
The incident takes place after police arrested five British nationals on Monday in connection with a massive security operation near a US Air Force base. The arrests were made on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offences. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said that there were strong indications that Tehran played a part in the security incident outside the air base.
Iran denied the accusations.
