British authorities have charged two Iranian men with conspiring to carry out a terrorist attack against the Jewish community in Manchester, according to a police announcement on Friday.
Salam Ahmadyan, 36, of Liverpool, and Rahman Salehi, 34, of Salford, were taken into custody on September 20. They appeared before the Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, where they did not enter a plea. A judge has ordered them to remain in custody until their next appearance at London’s Central Criminal Court on October 23.
The Metropolitan Police stated that the suspects were in contact with a third party, believed to be located in Iran, regarding the plot. The Associated Press reported that this individual provided guidance on constructing a chlorine bomb. Despite the nature of the charges, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans told reporters that law enforcement does not believe there is an ongoing threat to the public.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described the developments as deeply distressing for Jewish communities, noting the timing coincides with the high holy days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Her statement also highlighted the upcoming anniversary of the deadly attack on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue on October 2, 2025, which claimed two lives during Yom Kippur services.
Mahmood confirmed that both suspects arrived in the UK via small boat several years ago, citing their case as evidence of the need to combat illegal migration. Reports indicate that Salehi was granted asylum, while Ahmadyan’s asylum claim is still pending.
The arrests occur amid heightened security concerns following a series of incidents targeting Israeli or Jewish-linked sites in the UK over the past year. On September 27, five British men in their mid-20s were arrested near RAF Fairford, a base used by US bombers in the Middle East conflict. Those suspects were later released on bail, though Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated the government believes Iran played a role in the incident—a claim Tehran denies.
Additionally, on Thursday, authorities detained a dual UK-Iranian national on suspicion of planning an attack at RAF Fairford. It remains unclear whether this individual is connected to the Manchester plot or the earlier Fairford incident.
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