Two Iranian Nationals Charged in UK Over Alleged Terror Plot Targeting Manchester's Jewish Community

A police car patrols the area around the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester

Two Iranian nationals have been charged in the UK over an alleged terror plot targeting Manchester’s Jewish community, with police accusing the men of carrying out reconnaissance and trying to obtain components and equipment for an improvised explosive device.

According to Al Jazeera, the two men (Rahman Salehi, 34, of Salford, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36, of Liverpool) were arrested in Manchester on September 20 and were allegedly in contact with an overseas third party who may have been in Iran. Police said the alleged plot was disrupted before any attack could take place.

The alleged plot takes on added significance because of when police say it was planned. Investigators believe the attack was intended to take place on or before Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, which began at sundown on September 20 this year.

The timing also comes almost exactly one year after a deadly attack on Manchester’s Jewish community. On October 2, 2025, two people were killed in an attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue during Yom Kippur, making the latest alleged plot particularly sensitive for the city’s Jewish community.

Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in Judaism and is observed as a period of fasting, prayer, repentance and seeking forgiveness. It begins at sunset and continues until nightfall the following day, with observant Jews traditionally refraining from food and drink and attending religious services at synagogues.