Two Iranian nationals have been charged in the United Kingdom over an alleged plot targeting the Jewish community in Manchester, according to British counter-terrorism authorities.
Salam Ahmadyan, 36, of Liverpool, and Rahman Salehi, 34, of Salford, were arrested in Manchester on September 20 and charged on October 2 with engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorist acts, under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006, Counter Terrorism Policing said.
Authorities allege that the two men were involved in preparations for an attack against the Jewish community in the Manchester area. Prosecutors have also alleged that they were in contact with an overseas third party who may be in Iran. Both men have been remanded in custody and appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on October 3. The case is continuing, and the allegations have not been proven in court. The defendants are entitled to a fair trial. oai_citation:0‡Mynewsdesk
Court proceedings have provided further details about the alleged investigation. Prosecutors said the men were accused of preparing acts of terrorism involving a homemade explosive device and identifying potential Jewish community targets, including the Manchester Jewish Museum and Heaton Park Synagogue. These allegations remain matters for the court to determine. oai_citation:1‡Jewish News
The arrests came shortly before Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. British counter-terrorism officials said the investigation had disrupted what they believed was a plot targeting the Jewish community and said there was no ongoing threat to the public connected with the case. oai_citation:2‡Sky News
The case has particular significance in Manchester because Heaton Park Synagogue was the scene of a terrorist attack in October 2025 in which two people were killed and others were injured. British counter-terrorism authorities confirmed at the time that the incident was being treated as a terrorist attack. oai_citation:3‡Counter Terrorism Policing
The new case is also unfolding against a broader backdrop of heightened British security concerns involving alleged hostile activity linked to Iran. However, British authorities have not established publicly that this Manchester investigation is connected to other cases currently under investigation.
For now, the central facts are that two Iranian nationals have been charged, prosecutors have outlined allegations concerning preparations for terrorist acts, and the judicial process is continuing. The allegations remain unproven, while investigators and prosecutors are expected to present further evidence as the case progresses.
