Two Iranian nationals accused of preparing a terrorist attack against Manchester's Jewish community allegedly carried out “hostile reconnaissance” at the Manchester Jewish Museum and Heaton Park Synagogue, Westminster Magistrates' Court has heard.
Prosecutors allege that Rahman Salehi and Salam Ahmadyan were preparing acts of terrorism involving a homemade explosive device and had researched and visited potential Jewish targets in Manchester.
The court was also told that the defendants were allegedly in contact with a third person believed to be an Iranian national operating from Iran, who prosecutors say directed and coordinated the proposed attack and supplied instructions for constructing an improvised explosive device.
These are prosecution allegations which have not been proved. Neither defendant entered a plea at Saturday's hearing and both are entitled to a fair trial.
Synagogue and Jewish Museum named as alleged targets
Prosecutor Mark Luckett alleged that the men carried out hostile reconnaissance and identified potential targets including the Manchester Jewish Museum in Cheetham Hill and Heaton Park Synagogue.
Heaton Park Synagogue was itself the scene of a deadly terrorist attack on 2 October 2025, when two worshippers were killed.
Prosecutors allege instructions for chlorine-based bomb
The court heard allegations that the defendants received instructions concerning an improvised explosive device involving chlorine and brake fluid.
The charge alleges that the men communicated with others using encrypted applications to obtain components for a homemade explosive device. They are also accused of obtaining written and video bomb-making material, acquiring liquids, components and equipment, researching potential targets, obtaining images, plans and maps and conducting reconnaissance.
All of those claims form part of the prosecution case and have not yet been tested at trial.
Third party 'most likely operating from Iran', court told
Prosecutors allege the defendants were in contact with a third party who directed and coordinated the planned attack and provided instructions on assembling a homemade explosive device.
The court was told investigators assess this person to be another Iranian national who was “most likely operating from within Iran”.
That allegation does not establish that the Iranian government directed or authorised the alleged plot. Counter Terrorism Policing's charging announcement described the person as an overseas third party who may be in Iran.
Authorities have also said this investigation is not connected to the separate counter-terrorism investigation concerning RAF Fairford.
Both defendants arrived by small boat
The court heard that both defendants arrived in the UK by small boat.
Salehi arrived in 2020 after previously claiming asylum in Germany and spending five years there, prosecutors said. He was granted asylum in the UK in 2023 and has leave to remain until July 2028.
Ahmadyan arrived in the UK in 2023 and has an outstanding asylum claim, the court heard.
The defendants' immigration histories are separate from the criminal allegations and do not establish guilt.
Men remanded until Old Bailey hearing
Salehi and Ahmadyan appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday and were not asked to enter pleas.
District Judge Nina Tempia remanded both men in custody ahead of their next appearance at the Old Bailey on 23 October.
The Crown Prosecution Service previously confirmed that the men have been charged under Section 5(1) of the Terrorism Act 2006 with engaging in conduct in preparation for committing an act of terrorism or assisting another to commit such an act.
Counter Terrorism Policing says it does not believe there is any ongoing threat to the public in relation to the investigation.
Proceedings are active. The allegations against Salehi and Ahmadyan have not been proved and nothing should be published which could prejudice their right to a fair trial.
Sources
- Crown Prosecution Service: CPS to prosecute two men for preparing act of terrorism in Manchester — 2 October 2026
- Counter Terrorism Policing / Metropolitan Police: charging statement — 2 October 2026
- Reuters: Two Iranians appear in UK court over alleged plot to target Jews — 3 October 2026
- Sky News: Court hears details of alleged Manchester bomb plot — 3 October 2026