The Crown Prosecution Service said Friday that 34-year-old Rahman Salehi and 36-year-old Salam Ahmadyan were charged with preparing to commit, or assisting another person in committing, an act of terrorism.

Prosecutors allege the planned attack was intended to take place in Manchester on or before Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, which began at sundown on September 20.

Counterterrorism police said the two men were allegedly in contact with an unidentified third party overseas who may have been located in Iran.

Authorities have not disclosed the intended target or other specific details of the alleged plot but said the operation had been disrupted before an attack could take place.

Investigators allege Salehi and Ahmadyan attempted to obtain components and equipment that could be used to construct an improvised explosive device. They are also accused of conducting reconnaissance on potential targets.

Both men were arrested in Manchester on September 20 and are scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on Saturday.

British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the two men had arrived in the United Kingdom by small boat from continental Europe several years ago. According to the Home Office, one had subsequently been granted asylum, while the other had an outstanding asylum application.

Mahmood also accused the Iranian government of posing security threats inside Britain, including against Jewish communities and critics of Tehran.

Iran has previously rejected British allegations that it directs hostile activities in the United Kingdom. Authorities have not publicly established whether the Iranian government was involved in the alleged Manchester plot, and the investigation into any possible overseas connections remains ongoing.