![\"BBC](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/4e25\/live\/cc0ebcd0-2daf-11f0-a661-81c759f53f9f.png.webp\")
BBC<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\nPolice have been given more time to question four Iranian men over an alleged terror plot in the UK.<\/p>\n The men were arrested on 3 May on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act, the Metropolitan Police said. <\/p>\n The suspects, detained under the Terrorism Act, can be held until 17 May after the force obtained warrants to further extend their detention.<\/p>\n A fifth Iranian man, who was detained under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, has been released on bail with conditions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The five men – two aged 29, a 40-year-old, a 24-year-old and another aged 46 – on 3 May – were arrested in Swindon, west London, Stockport, Rochdale and Manchester.<\/p>\n The Met said officers were continuing search a number of addresses in the Greater Manchester, London and Swindon areas.<\/p>\n Cdr Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s counter terrorism command, said it was a “significant and highly complex investigation”.<\/p>\n He urged the public not to “speculate or share information” that has not been confirmed by police. <\/p>\n The Met has previously said it believes “a specific premises” was the target of the suspected plot.<\/p>\n The BBC understands the alleged target was the Israeli embassy in London, as first reported by the Times.<\/a> Police have not yet confirmed the embassy was the suspected target, citing operational reasons. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Three other Iranian men – aged 39, 44 and 55 – were arrested on the same day in London in relation to a separate counter-terrorism investigation.<\/p>\n They were arrested under section 27 of the National Security Act, which covers offences deemed a threat to national security. <\/p>\n