Counter-terrorism investigators are examining three separate arson attacks in London against an Iranian dissident media outlet and Jewish targets, amid fears of Iranian state involvement. The most recent incident occurred on Wednesday evening outside the offices of Iran International, a Persian-language news channel critical of the Tehran regime, in Wembley. An ignited container was thrown at a car park, but the fire extinguished immediately. Three individuals—a 16-year-old boy and two men aged 19 and 21—were arrested on suspicion of arson endangering life after a police pursuit involving an armed response vehicle.
This follows an attempted firebomb attack on Finchley Reform Synagogue on Wednesday morning, and an arson attack last month on four ambulances in Golders Green operated by a Jewish charity. In connection with the synagogue attack, a 47-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man remain in custody. Regarding the ambulance attack, two 18-year-olds were arrested on Thursday at separate addresses in east London, one on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and the other for conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. Three men have already been charged over that attack, and another remains on bail.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed all three incidents are being investigated by London’s counter-terrorism unit. Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes stated they are treated as separate incidents, and it is too early to speculate on motives. Investigators believe some suspects have criminal pasts, and counter-terrorism experts have previously warned of foreign states using criminal proxies for violence in the UK. Jukes issued a warning: “For the people who think you can make quick and easy money by committing crimes for others, we will show that they are fools.”
Jukes referenced the case of Dylan Earl, who is serving 17 years for orchestrating a Russian-ordered arson attack in London, as a cautionary example. When asked about potential Iranian involvement, Jukes said it is an important part of the current global picture but declined to reach definitive conclusions while investigations are ongoing. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans noted that none of the incidents have been declared terrorist attacks yet, but counter-terrorism policing is leading the inquiries to apply specialist capabilities.
The militant group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia has claimed responsibility for the ambulance attack and suggested involvement in the synagogue attack, as well as other attacks across Europe. Evans acknowledged awareness of the group and said it is one of many lines of inquiry. She added that a fifth of counter-terrorism policing's workload currently focuses on hostile state activity. Iran International’s editorial board stated that motives have not been established and declined to speculate while inquiries continue.
