Five men have been arrested in England on suspicion of terrorism offences following a coordinated counter-terrorism operation aimed at disrupting a suspected plot against a specific premises.

The arrests, carried out on Saturday, targeted multiple locations. Four of the suspects—aged 29, 29, 40, and 46—are Iranian nationals and were apprehended in Swindon, Stockport, Rochdale, and west London under the Terrorism Act. A fifth man was arrested in Manchester under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE). His identity is still being verified. All five are being held on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act.

According to the Metropolitan Police, the investigation remains in its early stages. Officers are working to determine potential motives and assess whether further threats to public safety exist.

“We are actively pursuing various lines of enquiry,” said Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter-Terrorism Command. “Our priority is to establish whether there is any ongoing risk to the public.”

Authorities are also conducting searches at several addresses across Greater Manchester, London, and Swindon. The premises allegedly targeted in the plot have not been publicly named for operational reasons, but police confirmed that the site has been informed and is receiving support.

The Met stressed that appropriate safety measures are in place and reassured the public that the situation is being handled with the highest level of vigilance.