Two Iranians charged over alleged plot targeting Jewish community in UK

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1. 57m ago

   Two Iranian nationals charged in alleged Manchester terror plot

   Rahman Salehi, 34, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36, appeared in a London court on October 3 charged with plotting terrorism against the Jewish community in Manchester. Prosecutors allege the men planned to use a homemade chlorine bomb to attack a synagogue on or before Yom Kippur. The suspects, described as small-boat migrants, allegedly acted under the direction of an individual believed to be based in Iran. The two men were arrested on the eve of the holiday.

   Why it matters

   The plot targeted northern England during a high-profile Jewish holiday. This case highlights security concerns regarding foreign nationals entering the UK via irregular migration routes. It also suggests potential foreign state or proxy influence in domestic terror plots.

   What is confirmed

   • Rahman Salehi, 34, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36, were charged with terrorism offences.
   • The suspects are Iranian nationals who entered the UK as small-boat migrants.
   • The alleged plot targeted the Jewish community in Manchester.
   • The attack was planned for on or before Yom Kippur.
   • The defendants appeared in a London court on Saturday, October 3.
   • Police allege the men were in contact with a third party believed to be in Iran.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The suspects scouted a Manchester synagogue specifically for a chlorine bomb plot.
   • The men were acting at the behest of a figure based in Iran.

   What to watch next

   • Court rulings on the admissibility of evidence regarding the overseas contact
   • Further identification of the Iranian figure allegedly directing the plot
   • Details on the suspects' movement and scouting activities in Manchester
   Sources used for this update (23)

   1. CNN — UK charges 2 Iranian men over alleged Yom Kippur terror plot in Manchester
   2. CBS News — U.K. police accuse 2 Iranian men of planning terror attack on Manchester's Jewish community
   3. BBC — Two men charged with terrorism offences in Manchester
   4. The Guardian — Two Iranian men charged over alleged terror plot targeting Manchester’s Jewish community
   5. Bloomberg.com — Two Iranian Men Charged Over Plot Targeting UK Jewish Community
   6. NBC News — Two Iranian nationals charged over alleged terrorism plot targeting Jewish community in England
   7. Al Jazeera — Two Iranians charged over alleged plot targeting Jewish community in UK
   8. Financial Times — Two Iranian small-boat migrants charged with plotting attack on Jewish targets in Manchester
   9. The Telegraph — Iranian small boat migrants charged over Yom Kippur terror plot
   10. BBC — Men in court over alleged plot to target Manchester Jewish community
   11. Reuters — Two Iranians appear in UK court over alleged plot to target Jews
   12. The Guardian — Two Iranian men identified Manchester synagogue as site for alleged bomb plot, court hears
   confidence 95%