Two Iranian nationals have appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court charged with preparing acts of terrorism, following an alleged plot to target Manchester's Jewish community using a homemade explosive device.

Salam Ahmadyan, 36, who lives in Liverpool, and Rahman Salehi, 34, from Salford, were remanded into custody by District Judge Nina Tempia. Counter Terrorism Policing confirmed that both men were arrested in Manchester on Sunday, September 20, and were formally charged on Friday with engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorist acts.

According to prosecutors, the pair carried out what was described as hostile reconnaissance at two community sites in Greater Manchester: Heaton Park Synagogue and the Jewish Museum located in Cheetham Hill.

Prosecutor Mark Luckett told the court that Ahmadyan and Salehi were acting under instructions from abroad. He said the two men were "in contact with a third party who is alleged to have directed and coordinated the planned attack and provided instructions on how to assemble a home-made explosive device."

Mr Luckett went on to explain the assessment of that third party to the court, adding: "It is assessed this individual is also an Iranian national and most likely operating from within Iran."

During the short hearing in London, Ahmadyan spoke through a Farsi interpreter and Salehi spoke through a Kurdish interpreter, both confirming their names, dates of birth, and home addresses. Neither defendant was asked to enter a formal plea to the terrorism charges.

The court was also given details regarding the immigration background of both defendants. Ahmadyan arrived in the UK via a small boat in 2023 and currently has an outstanding asylum claim. Salehi arrived in the UK on a small boat in 2020 after spending five years in Germany, where he had also claimed asylum; he was granted asylum in the UK in 2023 and holds leave to remain until July 2028.

The alleged reconnaissance at Heaton Park Synagogue touches on a location that has suffered violence in recent memory. The synagogue was targeted in a terror attack on October 2, 2025, when 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie drove his vehicle into the gates and attacked worshippers with a knife, killing Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 53.

Following the arrests, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, addressed the community impact. She described the operation as "a long-running proactive investigation which has led to the disruption of what we believe to be a plot to target the Jewish community in the Manchester area."

DAC Evans said counter-terrorism officers "continue to focus our efforts on identifying and disrupting those who wish to cause harm in our communities." She noted that police are acutely aware of the concern this news will cause to the Jewish community, particularly during the High Holy Day period, and confirmed that CTP is working closely with Greater Manchester Police and forces nationwide to provide protective security support.

Police have emphasised that they do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the wider public connected to this case, though several lines of enquiry remain active as the investigation continues.

Ahmadyan and Salehi are now due to appear for their next court hearing on October 23. What we do not yet know is the full identity of the overseas contact alleged to have coordinated the plot. I'll be following this one — check back for updates.