Two Iranians charged over suspected terror plot against Manchester Jewish community

Two Iranian nationals have been charged with terrorism offences over an alleged plot targeting the Jewish community in Manchester, counter-terrorism police said on Friday.

Salam Ahmadyan, 36, of Liverpool and Rahman Salehi, 34, of Salford were arrested in Manchester on Sunday 20 September. The men were charged on 2 October with engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorist acts, contrary to section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006, the Metropolitan Police said. Investigators allege the pair were in contact with an overseas third party who may be in Iran in relation to the plot, according to the Times.

Both men have been remanded in custody and are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, senior national coordinator for counter-terrorism policing, said: “These are extremely serious charges and allegations, and have come about from a joint CTP investigation, working closely with our partners in the security services. This investigation has led to the disruption of what we believe to have been a plot targeting the Jewish community in Manchester.” She added that police do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the public.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the two men arrived in the UK by small boat in 2020 and 2023. One was granted asylum and the other’s asylum application remains ongoing, Home Office sources confirmed.

The arrests came on Kol Nidre, the eve of Yom Kippur, almost a year after the October 2025 attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Crumpsall, in which two worshippers were killed.

Sources: The Times, The Sun, Jerusalem Post/Reuters