Police forensic officers search a house in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, on May 4, in connection with the counter-terrorism operation. Getty Images
Police forensic officers search a house in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, on May 4, in connection with the counter-terrorism operation. Getty Images
Police forensic officers search a house in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, on May 4, in connection with the counter-terrorism operation. Getty Images
Police forensic officers search a house in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, on May 4, in connection with the counter-terrorism operation. Getty Images

Fourth Iranian arrested in north-west London amid investigations into 'state plot'


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British police arrested a fourth Iranian man on Friday in connection with alleged plot against national security that was being hatched in north-west London.

The unnamed man was arrested in the same part of London as three others who were detained in raids by counter-terrorism police last weekend.

A statement said the 31-year-old man was arrested under section 27 of the National Security Act 2023. It connected the suspect to three others, aged 39, 44 and 55 a week ago.

Intelligence experts have briefed that the UK police appear to have disrupted separate operations by different parts of Iran's security forces.

The London investigation is not connected to the arrest of five people last weekend in other parts of the UK.

That group was arrested on suspicion of preparing an act of terrorism and allegedly belong to Unit 840, which carries out assassination and kidnapping missions for Tehran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.

Two men aged 29 were detained in Swindon in Wiltshire and Stockport in Cheshire, a 40-year-old was held in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, a 46-year-old in west London and a 24-year-old was detained in the city of Manchester.

Reports have identified the Israeli embassy in Knightsbridge as the target of the alleged plotters and officials have claimed the attack was imminent.

UK special forces and counter-terrorism police carried out the raids after what appears to have been an extensive surveillance operation by MI5, the UK secret security service.

The London arrests are said to have separately involved the round up of men from Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence, also known as Vevak, who are more conventionally trained than Unit 840. No target for that plot has been revealed.

Police forensic officers search a house as part of pre-planned counter terrorism raids in Greater Manchester. Ryan Jenkinson / Getty Images
Police forensic officers search a house as part of pre-planned counter terrorism raids in Greater Manchester. Ryan Jenkinson / Getty Images

Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, said this week his country “categorically rejects any involvement” in any alleged plot to conduct attacks in Britain. Iran also called on Britain to provide consular access to the detained Iranians.

UK minsters have since revealed that senior government adviser Jonathan Hall had been asked by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to review how new legal counter terrorism measures “could be applied to modern day state threats, such as those from Iran”.

That report is now ready and expected to be revealed in the next few weeks.

RESULTS

6pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 1 (PA) $55,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Rajeh, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi (trainer)

6.35pm: Oud Metha Stakes – Rated Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Get Back Goldie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill

7.10pm: Jumeirah Classic – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner: Sovereign Prince, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby

7.45pm: Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Hypothetical, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer

8.20pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 2 (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Hot Rod Charlie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill

8.55pm: Al Bastakiya Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Withering, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass

9.30pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Creative Flair, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

List of alleged parties
  • May 15 2020: Boris Johnson is said to have attended a Downing Street pizza party
  • 27 Nov 2020: PM gives speech at leaving do for his staff
  • Dec 10 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson 
  • Dec 13 2020: Mr Johnson and his then-fiancee Carrie Symonds throw a flat party
  • Dec 14 2020: Shaun Bailey holds staff party at Conservative Party headquarters 
  • Dec 15 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
  • Dec 18 2020: Downing Street Christmas party 
Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

Who has been sanctioned?

Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.

Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.

Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.

Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.

The Old Slave and the Mastiff

Patrick Chamoiseau

Translated from the French and Creole by Linda Coverdale

Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association
Ferrari
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Company%20profile
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WHAT%20IS%20THE%20LICENSING%20PROCESS%20FOR%20VARA%3F
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Updated: May 09, 2025, 6:30 PM