Two Iranian men charged over terror plot against Manchester Jews: U.K. police

Armed police officers talk with members of the nearby community following a deadly knife and gun attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Manchester, U.K., on Oct. 2, 2025. Photo by PAUL CURRIE/AFP via Getty Images

Article content

Two Iranian men have been charged with plotting a terror attack on the Jewish community in Manchester, U.K. police said Friday.

Article content

The arrests come nearly a year after a deadly knife and gun attack on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in northern Manchester where worshippers had gathered for Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

Article content

Article content

Two people died in the attack on October 2, 2025.

Article content

Article content

“Salam Ahmadyan 36 of Liverpool and Rahman Salehi 34 of Salford, both Iranian nationals, were arrested in Manchester on Sunday, 20 September,” Friday’s police statement said.

Article content

Article content

“It is alleged that the two men were in contact with an overseas third-party who may be in Iran in relation to the plot,” it added.

Article content

Details of the alleged plot have not been released, but police have confirmed its “disruption”.

Article content

“We do not believe there to be any ongoing threat to the public in relation to this matter,” Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans said in the statement.

Article content

“We would ask that people remain vigilant and contact police with any concerns,” she added.

Article content

Home minister Shabana Mahmood said: “These recent events are a stark reminder of the threats posed against this country from both terrorists and foreign state actors.

Article content

“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. I know this will be especially true in Manchester, as we mark one year since the terrorist attack at Heaton Park Synagogue.

Article content

Article content

“The fact both suspects arrived by small boat several years ago is a reminder of the importance of our relentless work to tackle illegal migration into this country. While numbers are down, I know there is more we must do,” she added.

Article content

Article content

The past year has seen a spate of attacks in the British capital targeting Jewish or Israel-linked locations.

Article content

The two men are due at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.

Article content

Article content