Four of the eight suspects, including seven Iranians, who were arrested over the weekend in the UK for an alleged plot to attack an unspecified target in London, were “hours away” from committing a major attack, UK media outlets reported on Monday.

According to the reports, speculation is rising that the target was a shul or another Jewish target.

The government called the suspects the biggest “counter-state threat and counterterrorism” operations for years. It said the premises were being given “advice and support.”

The Israel-based IntelliTimes blog reported that the UK confirmed that the attack was planned against a “major Jewish target,” adding that in such a case,  Israeli intelligence agents were likely involved in helping to foil the plot.

Locals witnessed Counter Terrorism Specialist Firearms Officers raiding one of the locations, the Daily Mail reported.

‘There was a massive explosion and flame. It was officers using explosives to blow open the door,’ one local said.

The eight suspects were arrested on Saturday in two separate raids, three in London and five in various parts of the country, including in the Greater Manchester area, London, and Swindon.

Forensic officers in blue overalls were photographed at a house in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, where one of the men was detained

Rochdale resident Kyle Warren told Sky News he “heard a massive bang” and saw “20 or 30 police with guns” drag a man from a neighboring house.

“We’ve seen a man getting pulled out from the back, basically got dragged down the side entry and thrown into all the bushes and then handcuffed,” he said.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)