Two Iranians charged over suspected plot to target Jews in Manchester

Two Iranian nationals were charged in Britain with preparing a terrorist attack against the Jewish community in northern England, police said on Friday.

Rahman Salehi, 35, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36, have been charged with preparing to commit or assisting another to commit an act of terrorism in Manchester on the eve of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

"It is no secret that this country faces a range of serious threats from the Iranian regime," Home Secretary (interior minister) Shabana Mahmood said in a statement. "They target our Jewish communities and try to silence their critics overseas, often through proxies and criminal networks to hide their involvement."

Iran has always denied such accusations.

Counterterrorism police said Salehi and Ahmadyan had allegedly tried to acquire components and equipment to make an improvised explosive device and conducted reconnaissance on potential targets for attack.

Report by Reuters