An Iranian men arrested over an alleged plot to attack the Israeli embassy in London is understood to be an asylum seeker living in taxpayer-funded accommodation.
GB News previously revealed that asylum hotels were searched as counter-terror police and military personnel detained five Iranian nationals last weekend.
Footage on social media showed Special Forces and armed police dragging the semi-naked man from a house, managed by Serco on behalf of the Home Office to house asylum seekers, in Rochdale on May 3.
The five Iranian men, arrested by Special Forces soldiers and police in a coordinated operation, were aged between 24 and 46, with raids taking place in West London, Swindon, Manchester, Rochdale and Stockport.
Footage on social media showed Special Forces and armed police dragging the semi-naked man from a house, managed by Serco on behalf of the Home Office to house asylum seekers, in Rochdale
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Four of the suspects remain in custody after the Met Police secured warrants for further detention until next Saturday.
The fifth suspect, a 24-year-old Iranian, has been released on conditional police bail.
One of the five is reportedly said to have close ties to Iran's government.
Police are still investigating how the others arrived in the UK.
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The Iranian man is believed to have arrived in Britain illegally by small boat before claiming asylum
PANeighbours told reporters that one 40-year-old suspect had lived at the Rochdale property for more than six months but rarely spoke to anyone.
Former tenants revealed the house typically accommodates four asylum seekers who share bathroom and kitchen facilities while having individual bedrooms.
The Iranian man is believed to have arrived in Britain illegally by small boat before claiming asylum, with one former resident claiming tenants did not pay rent or bills as Serco covered all costs, according to the Daily Mail.
Security experts have expressed concerns that the Channel migrant route could be exploited by state-backed terrorists.
Terrorism expert Anthony Glees, of Buckingham University, told the publication: "The Calais boat route self-evidently presents a clear and present danger to national security."
The Israeli embassy in Kensington, West London - the alleged target - is ringed by 8ft walls, guard posts and state-of-the-art monitoring systems with 24-hour armed security.
Security minister Dan Jarvis described the operation as "some of the largest counter-state threats and counter-terrorism actions we have seen in recent times".
The Iranian Embassy in Knightsbridge, LondonPAThe Foreign Office previously revealed more than 20 Iran-backed plots to kidnap or kill British nationals on UK soil have been thwarted since 2022.
Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has denied involvement, stating: "Iran in no uncertain terms categorically rejects any involvement in such actions."
GB News has reached out to the Home Office for a comment.
