UK accuses Iranians of plotting terrorist attack against Manchester Jews

London – Agencies: Two Iranian men who arrived in the United Kingdom by boat have been charged with terrorism in connection with an alleged plot to target the Jewish community in Manchester. Rahman Salahi, 35, from Salford, and Salam Ahmadian, 36, from Liverpool, are accused of preparing to commit an act of terrorism or assisting another person to commit an act of terrorism on or before September 20. The two men were arrested in north Manchester on the eve of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. According to police, the men are accused of obtaining instructions for making a chlorine bomb, acquiring the liquids, materials, and equipment needed for such a bomb, identifying potential targets, and conducting reconnaissance of possible attack sites. The defendants arrived in Britain by boat in 2020 and 2023. One was granted asylum, while the other has a pending asylum claim. Counter-terrorism investigators stated that there is no link between the charges against the two men and the suspected plot concerning RAF Fairford, on the basis of which a person holding both British and Iranian citizenship was arrested on Thursday. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there are “strong indications” of Iranian involvement in relation to RAF Fairford, but Iran has denied any involvement, stating that speculation would “fuel anti-Iranian propaganda.”