Counter-terrorism investigators are examining three separate arson attacks in London against an Iranian dissident and Jewish targets, amid fears the Iranian state may be behind them. The latest attack occurred at about 8.30pm on Wednesday outside the offices of Iran International, a Persian-language news channel that opposes the regime in Tehran.
The Metropolitan Police said an “ignited container” had been thrown at a car park at the company’s offices in Wembley, but the fire immediately went out. After a police pursuit involving an armed response vehicle, a 16-year-old boy and two men, aged 19 and 21, were arrested on suspicion of arson endangering life.
This followed an attempted firebomb attack on Finchley Reform Synagogue on Wednesday morning, and an arson attack last month on four ambulances in Golders Green run by a Jewish charity. A 47-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man remain in custody in connection with the attempted attack on the synagogue.
On Thursday, Scotland Yard said two 18-year-olds had been arrested in east London in relation to the ambulance attack. One was arrested on suspicion of committing arson with intent to endanger life, the other on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. Three men have already been charged over that attack and another man remains on bail.
The Met confirmed all three incidents were being investigated by London’s counter-terrorism unit. Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes said they were being treated as separate incidents and it was too early to speculate on motives. He warned those carrying out attacks for foreign states: “For the people who think you can make quick and easy money by committing crimes for others, we will show that they are fools.”
The militant group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia has claimed responsibility for the ambulance attack and suggested it was behind this week’s attack on the synagogue. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans said a fifth of the workload of counter-terrorism policing was currently focused on “hostile state activity”.
