Police Extend Detention of Four Iranians Over Alleged Israeli Embassy Plot in UK

Five Iranian men were arrested across multiple locations in the UK on May 3 on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act, reportedly targeting the Israeli embassy in Kensington, west London. Four of the men remain in custody under the Terrorism Act, with police granted an additional week to question them, while the fifth man was released on conditional bail. The arrests were part of a national pre-planned counter-terrorism operation involving armed police and special forces, with ongoing searches at addresses in Greater Manchester, London, and Swindon. Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command, described the investigation as significant and highly complex, urging the public to refrain from speculation. Separate from this, additional Iranian men were arrested in London in a different counter-terrorism investigation, which authorities say is not linked to the embassy plot. Police continue to prioritize public safety and have asked anyone with relevant information to come forward.