World
Two Iranian nationals charged over Manchester Jewish community terror plot
Rahman Salehi, 35, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36, were charged on 2 October 2026 with preparing terrorism over an alleged plot against Manchester's Jewish community, arrested on 20 September.
Photo: BBC NewsKey points
Two Iranian nationals were charged with preparing terrorism over an alleged plot targeting Manchester's Jewish community.
Two Iranian nationals have been charged with terrorism offences over an alleged plot to target the Jewish community in Manchester. Rahman Salehi, 35, of Salford, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36, from Liverpool, are accused of preparing to commit an act of terrorism or assisting another to commit an act of terrorism on or before 20 September. Both were charged on 2 October 2026 and are remanded in custody.
The charges matter because they allege a specific attack plan against a religious community in a major British city, at a moment when Manchester marks one year since the Heaton Park Synagogue attack. Counter Terrorism Police allege the men were in contact with an overseas third party who may be in Iran. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the news would be "deeply distressing" for Manchester's Jewish community.
What the charges allege
Counter Terrorism Police set out the particulars of the charge in detail. The allegations include communicating with others using encrypted applications to acquire components to assemble a homemade explosive device, and acquiring a document entitled "Steps for Making [a] Powder Chlorine and Car Brake Oil/Fluid Bomb". The men are also accused of acquiring video material containing instructions on how to manufacture or assemble an improvised explosive device.
The charges further allege the men acquired liquids, components and equipment required to manufacture an improvised explosive device, used the internet to identify and research potential targets, acquired images, plans and maps of potential targets, and conducted reconnaissance of potential locations for attack. Police say the two men wanted to use an improvised explosive device to carry out their attack.
The two men were arrested on 20 September, on the eve of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. They were arrested in Newton Street, in the Northern Quarter area of Manchester city centre, before being held in custody at a London police station. Counter-terrorism police were given more time to question the men, who were detained under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Where the arrests happened
Searches were carried out at addresses in Epworth Street, Liverpool, and Lancaster Road, Salford, as part of the investigation, and both searches have since been completed. It is understood the suspects arrived in the UK by small boat in 2020 and 2023. One was granted asylum, and the other has a live asylum claim.
Vicki Evans, the senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said the investigation came about from a joint Counter Terrorism Policing investigation working closely with partners in the security services. She said the investigation had led to the disruption of what police believe to have been a plot targeting the Jewish community in Manchester, and that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
How police describe the plot
Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service's special crime and counter-terrorism division, said prosecutors decided to prosecute following a fast-paced counter-terrorism policing investigation in Greater Manchester in September targeting the Jewish community. He said prosecutors established there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court, and reminded the public that proceedings are active and the defendants have the right to a fair trial.
Counter Terrorism Policing said the case is not connected to a separate investigation into a suspected plot involving RAF Fairford, an air base used by the US to target Iran, over which a dual UK-Iranian national was arrested. Evans said the two incidents are not connected in any way. Greater Manchester Police's Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods said policing plans within Jewish communities will endure.
The charges land one year after Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, was shot dead by armed police after launching a terror attack during Yom Kippur at Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester. Two men were killed in that attack, Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, while three others were injured. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the charges come as the city marks that anniversary. Both men are remanded in custody and are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 3 October. Counter Terrorism Policing has urged anyone who sees anything that does not look or feel right to report it to police via gov.uk/ACT or by calling 0800 789 321.
Frequently asked questions
Who has been charged over the Manchester plot?
Rahman Salehi, 35, of Salford, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36, from Liverpool, both Iranian nationals, have been charged with preparing to commit an act of terrorism or assisting another to commit an act of terrorism.
What are the men accused of doing?
Counter Terrorism Police allege the men used encrypted applications to acquire components for a homemade explosive device, obtained video instructions and equipment, researched potential targets online, acquired images and maps of targets, and conducted reconnaissance.
When will the men appear in court?
Both men are remanded in custody and are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 3 October.
How this story was checked
- Fact-checked against 4 cited pages. 28 figures, dates and quotations in this story were found on the pages it cites; 1 passage that could not be checked was cut before publication.
- Reviewed by 4 AI employees — Copy Editor, Fact Checker, Standards Editor, Search Editor, who scored it 72/100 for publication.
Pages checked (4 of 4)
- bbc.co.ukread and checked
- jpost.comread and checked
- mirror.co.ukread and checked
- theguardian.comread and checked
Written by Kaer from public reporting. Checked 2 October 2026.
