Two Iranian men have appeared in court charged with terror offences over an alleged plot to target the Jewish community in Manchester with a homemade bomb. This case has drawn significant public and governmental attention due to its timing, the sensitivity of the target—religious communities—and the broader implications for national security and community safety.
What Happened
Rahman Salehi, 34, of Salford, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36, from Liverpool, were accused at Westminster Magistrates’ Court of preparing to commit an act of terrorism or assisting another to commit an act of terrorism on or before 20 September 2026. The charges stem from intelligence gathered during a police investigation into potential threats to Manchester’s Jewish community.
Both men were arrested in Manchester’s Northern Quarter on the eve of Yom Kippur — the holiest day in the Jewish calendar — a date of profound religious significance. The timing of the arrests has raised questions about whether the investigation was reactive or part of a broader pattern of surveillance and preventive action. Yom Kippur, which commemorates the Day of Atonement and is observed with solemn rituals, including prayer services and fasting, makes it a particularly vulnerable period for any act of violence targeting religious institutions.
During the court hearing, the men wore grey tracksuits and spoke only through translators. They confirmed their names, dates of birth, and addresses but offered no further statements. This lack of direct communication may reflect legal procedures designed to protect the integrity of the process or may indicate a lack of cooperation or awareness of the gravity of the allegations.
Key Facts from the Case
- The suspects are alleged to have obtained instructions to make a chlorine bomb and acquired liquids and other components for an improvised explosive device (IED).
- They are accused of conducting hostile reconnaissance at the Heaton Park synagogue and the Manchester Jewish Museum — both of which are central to the city’s Jewish cultural and religious life.
- The Heaton Park synagogue was attacked on 2 October 2025, during a Yom Kippur service, resulting in the deaths of two British Jews: Melvin Kravitz and Adrian Daulby. This incident remains one of the most tragic antisemitic attacks in the UK’s recent history.
- One of the suspects is believed to have received instructions from another Iranian individual currently in Iran. This connection suggests a potential link to international terrorist networks or extremist ideologies operating across borders.
- Searches were carried out at addresses in Epworth Street, Liverpool, and Lancaster Road, Salford. These locations were identified as potential hubs for the planning or storage of materials related to the alleged bomb-making activity.
- Both men arrived in the UK by small boat in 2020. This detail has been highlighted by officials as a reminder of the challenges in managing border security and the potential for individuals with extremist affiliations to enter the country through irregular means.
Background: The Heaton Park Synagogue Attack
The Heaton Park synagogue attack in October 2025 was a pivotal event in the UK’s recent history of antisemitic violence. Two British Jews were killed during a Yom Kippur service at the synagogue, which is one of the largest and most prominent synagogues in the region. The attack occurred in a crowded service, with many attendees present, and has been widely condemned as a violation of both religious freedom and public safety.
Following the attack, the UK government launched a comprehensive review of antisemitic threats, including intelligence sharing between law enforcement agencies and community organizations. The incident prompted the establishment of a national task force to monitor and respond to threats against religious communities, especially during high-profile religious observances.
During the court hearing, the prosecution alleged that Salehi and Ahmadyan conducted reconnaissance visits to the synagogue and the Jewish Museum, suggesting a possible intent to exploit the high visibility and symbolic importance of these sites. Such actions are classified as ‘hostile reconnaissance’ under UK terrorism legislation, which defines such activity as preparatory to an act of terrorism.
Understanding Homemade Bombs and Improvised Explosive Devices
Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are non-standard explosives constructed from readily available materials. In this case, the alleged use of a chlorine bomb is particularly concerning. Chlorine gas, when released in confined spaces, can be highly toxic and is often used in chemical attacks. While chlorine is not typically used in traditional bombs, it can be part of a broader chemical weapon or used in a device designed to cause mass panic or injury.
Manufacturing such a device requires knowledge of chemistry, access to hazardous materials, and a willingness to carry out dangerous operations. The fact that the suspects are alleged to have acquired liquids and components suggests a level of planning and technical capability. However, the absence of physical evidence of a constructed device means that the claim remains speculative and based on intelligence assessments.
Why This Matters: Security, Community Trauma, and Public Perception
The case is not merely a legal matter—it has deep social and emotional implications. For Manchester’s Jewish community, which has already endured trauma from the 2025 synagogue attack, the new charges represent a painful reminder of ongoing vulnerability. The community has expressed concern about the safety of religious gatherings and the need for stronger protective measures.
From a national security perspective, the case highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating terrorism. The involvement of an Iranian individual in Iran suggests that extremist ideologies may be operating across borders, with individuals using diasporic networks to coordinate activities. This raises questions about how the UK manages intelligence sharing with other nations and how such threats are detected and prevented.
Additionally, the fact that both suspects arrived in the UK via small boat in 2020 underscores broader concerns about illegal migration and border security. While the UK government has long emphasized the need to manage migration responsibly, this case illustrates how such pathways may be exploited by individuals with extremist affiliations.
Limitations and Open Questions
It is critical to emphasize that the charges remain under investigation. No physical evidence has been presented to confirm the construction or deployment of a bomb. The allegations are based on intelligence, surveillance data, and reconnaissance activity, not on direct proof of an attack or an act of violence.
There is no public confirmation that the homemade bomb was ever built or used. The prosecution has not provided a timeline of when the bomb was planned, constructed, or intended for deployment. Without such evidence, the case remains in the realm of suspicion rather than proven criminal activity.
Moreover, the role of the small boat arrivals in the UK remains a point of public concern. While the source does not specify how these entries relate to the plot, the fact that both suspects entered the country through irregular means raises questions about the effectiveness of current immigration and border control policies.
What to Watch Next
The suspects are due to appear at the Old Bailey in London on 23 October 2026. The prosecution will present further evidence during this hearing, including potential witness statements, digital records, and communications data. Public attention will likely grow as the case progresses, especially given the sensitivity of targeting religious communities during sacred observances.
Police have not yet released a full timeline of the investigation, nor have they confirmed whether the reconnaissance activities were part of a broader operational plan. The full scope of the investigation, including any connections to other plots or individuals, remains unclear.
For updates on the case, readers can follow the BBC’s coverage of the investigation at this link. Related stories include a previous report on police efforts to investigate antisemitic threats in Manchester and a recent update on the investigation of suspects in a similar plot.
As the case unfolds, it will serve as a critical test of how the UK responds to threats against religious communities, how it balances national security with civil liberties, and how it supports the resilience of vulnerable populations in the face of extremism.
Sources & further reading
Featured image: Iranian Men in Qajar era 2.png by Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Image source
