Terror arrests come as Iran deals with ongoing situation in its backyard

Dan Jarvissecurity minister

The threat from Iran sits in a wider context of the growing, diversifying and evolving threat that the UK faces from malign activity by a number of states,

Jarvis said

As events unfold in the Middle East, we will give our fullest attention to the risk of an increase in - or a broadening of - Iranian state aggression in the UK,

he said

The investigation relates to a suspected plot to target a specific premises,

the police said in a statement issued early Sunday

All three men have been taken into custody and searches continue at the three addresses,

the police said

Yvette Cooperhome Secretary

These are serious events that demonstrate the ongoing requirement to adapt our response to national security threats,

she added

I want to thank the police and our security services for the action they have taken to keep our country safe

In an early-morning statement on Sunday, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said

This is a fast-moving investigation and we are working closely with those at the affected site to keep them updated,

said Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command

The investigation is still in its early stages and we are exploring various lines of enquiry to establish any potential motivation as well as to identify whether there may be any further risk to the public linked to this matter,

said Murphy

We understand the public may be concerned and as always, I would ask them to remain vigilant and if they see or hear anything that concerns them, then to contact us,

Murphy said

We are working closely with local officers in the areas where we have made arrests today and I’d like to thank police colleagues around the country for their ongoing support.”

Murphy added

Officers have been in contact with the affected site to make them aware and provide relevant advice and support, but for operational reasons, we are not able to provide further information at this time."

In an update shortly after midnight, the force said

Obviously I was a bit worried,

Mr Warren told Sky News's Lisa Dowd, and so he went into the garden to investigate