Terror attack targeting UK 'just hours away' before being foiled by police
British security services allegedly foiled a suspected terror plot involving Iranian agents just hours before a devastating attack was set to take place. Two suspected Iranian terror cells were raided on Saturday in a sweeping operation specifically targeting groups alleged to be working on behalf of the state against the UK.
It's understood that the cells planned to carry out a "major" attack against a UK premises, Mirror UK reports. The co-ordinated raids targeted properties in west London, Rochdale, Swindown, Manchester and Stockport on Saturday night. Four men were questioned last night on "suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act".
A separate operation in London disrupted an alleged Iranian spy cell just hours earlier. Three men were arrested on suspicion of spying for the Islamic Republic. Officials were initially concerned that news of the arrests could have created a volatile situation among the other alleged Iranian enemy actors. According to the Daily Telegraph, the alleged plot was hours away from being carried out.
There have been growing concerns about Iran's espionage and anti-UK activity. Head of MI5 Sir Ken McCallum warned the plotting of attacks was increasing at an "unprecedented pace and scale". Ongoing conflict in the Middle East has been cited as the reason for the "broadening" of Iranian aggression.
It's alleged that Iran has already backed 20 plots against journalists and dissidents living in the UK in the past three years alone. Overall, the security services' investigations into state threats have surged by a half, including assassination, kidnap, arson and sabotage plots. In October, Sir Ken explained that Iran uses its criminal proxies, including major drug traffickers and lower level criminals, to avoid getting its own hands dirty.
The spymaster warned anyone considering taking up the job for Iran that they face the "full weight of the national security apparatus". "It's a choice you'll regret", he added. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the arrests, that took place across the UK on Saturday, were "some of the biggest counter-state threat and counter-terrorism operations we have seen in recent years".
"These are major operations and the ongoing investigation is immensely important, and, of course, it involves Iranian nationals in both investigations. But this reflects the complexity of the kinds of challenges to our national security we continue to face."
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