One of the Iranian nationals arrested in the UK on suspicion of planning a terror attack has close ties to the Iranian regime, The Telegraph reported on Tuesday, citing Iranian sources in the UK.
The suspect's family reportedly holds major businesses in the Islamic Republic, with the source saying he was “very well connected."
According to The Telegraph report, the suspect was one of five arrested over the weekend on suspicion of planning to carry out an imminent attack.
The British daily also reported on Monday that it was speculated that the five intended to carry out a terror attack in a synagogue or another Jewish site.
Counterterrorism operations
On Saturday, the Metropolitan Police announced British Counter Terrorism Police arrested five men on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act, four of whom were Iranian nationals.
In a separate counterterrorism operation, the Met announced on Sunday it had arrested three additional Iranian nationals.
The Met stated that "this investigation is not connected to the arrest of five people yesterday as part of a separate Met Counter Terrorism operation," and that "enquiries remain ongoing."
Mathilda Heller contributed to this report.