LONDON, May 8, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Iran called on Britain on Wednesday to provide clarification and consular access after police arrested seven Iranian nationals on suspicion of "terrorism offences".

Britain's interior minister Yvette Cooper said the arrests of the seven and another person came amid heightened concerns about Iranian activities.

The Times newspaper reported that the arrests followed an alleged plot to target the Israeli embassy in London, but officials have not commented.

In a post on X, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he was "disturbed" to learn of the arrests.

"If credible allegations of misconduct are established, Iran stands ready to assist investigations," he said, urging Britain to "ensure respect for our citizens' rights and afford them due process".

Assistant Foreign Minister Alireza Yousefi on Wednesday called for immediate clarification on the arrests and for consular access to the detainees.

"The police announcements and statements made in the British Parliament against the Islamic Republic of Iran following the questionable arrest of a number of Iranian nationals indicate their disregard for fundamental legal norms and human rights," Yousefi said.

He criticised what he called a "habit" among British politicians of making "baseless and undocumented claims", and warned that such rhetoric only deepens historical distrust between the two nations.

British police, who announced the arrests, said the investigation was "still in its early stages and we are exploring various lines of enquiry to establish any potential motivation".

In one operation, five men -- four of them Iranian -- were arrested on suspicion of "preparation of a terrorist act", London police said Sunday after the arrests.

Three other men, all Iranians, were arrested in London in a separate counter terrorism police operation on Saturday, authorities said.