An arsonist hurled a petrol bomb at the offices of an Iranian media organization in northwest London, according to multiple reports. An ignited container was thrown towards the premises of Volant Media, which owns UK-based broadcaster Iran International, at around 8:30pm on Wednesday. The container landed in a car park, where the fire immediately put itself out. No damage was reported and there were no injuries, multiple reports indicate.
Footage posted on social media purports to show the moment the attack took place, featuring a man in a tracksuit hurling the weapon towards the building, according to multiple reports. Urgent enquiries were carried out and it was established that the suspects left the area in a black SUV, multiple reports indicate. An Armed Response Vehicle (ARV) in the area quickly located a car matching the description and began a pursuit after the driver failed to stop for police. The vehicle later crashed on Ballards Lane, close to the junction with Woodberry Gardens, according to multiple reports. A boy aged 16 and two men aged 19 and 21 were arrested on suspicion of arson endangering life and were taken into police custody, multiple reports indicate.
We are clearly aware of that group, the incidents across Europe and the claims that have been made on various different channels. Naturally, that is one of our many lines of inquiry, and there are many others. We remain open minded at this stage.
UK police charged two young men and a teenage boy following the attempted arson attack on the offices of Iran International, according to UK police. London's Metropolitan Police charged Oisin McGuinness, 21, and Nathan Dunn, 19, both of Watford, and a 16-year-old boy from north London with arson with intent to endanger life. McGuinness was also charged with dangerous driving. All three are British nationals and are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday, police said. The suspects were arrested after an armed police vehicle pursued an SUV which had fled the scene and later crashed in north London, according to multiple reports. Following liaison with and authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service, they were subsequently charged, multiple reports indicate.
A number of buildings nearby were evacuated as a precaution, before it was established there was no wider risk. The attack is not being treated as a terrorist incident but is being investigated by detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing London, supported by officers from the North West Command Area. At this stage, it is not being linked to the attempted arson attack in Finchley this week or last month's arson in Golders Green.
Condemns the attempted attack near its London studios on the evening of April 15, which it said comes amid 'escalating threats and intimidation'.
Iran International has been repeatedly targeted as the organization is openly critical of the Iranian government's regime, according to multiple reports. Iran International is one of several Persian-language outlets critical of Iran's clerical leadership operating from abroad, multiple reports indicate. Housed in a heavily-secured building in west London, the newsroom employs about 200 journalists, with correspondents in Washington, Paris, Berlin and Tel Aviv and was labelled a 'terrorist organization' by Tehran in 2022, according to multiple reports. It comes after Iran International TV was forced to move to the US in 2023 over threats from Tehran and fears for the safety of its journalists.
Responsibility for the attack is being claimed by Harakat Ashab Al Yamin Al Islamia, or Ashab Al Yamin, which translates to the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right, according to research from multiple sources. A Telegram channel posted a video bearing the group’s logo of what appeared to be a petrol bomb being thrown, along with a description saying it was an attack on Iran International, research from multiple sources indicates. The group has claimed responsibility for a number of attacks on Jewish targets in the UK, France, Belgium and the Netherlands, research from multiple sources shows. It is widely believed to be a proxy for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to research from multiple sources.
Condemned the attack, which it called part of a 'sustained effort to intimidate Iran International and silence independent Persian-language journalism beyond Iran's borders.'
Iran International’s premises in London have in the past been a target for the Iranian regime, research from multiple sources indicates. Journalist Pouria Zeraati, an anchor for the channel, was stabbed outside his home in 2024 in an attack suspected to have been linked to the Iranian regime, according to research from multiple sources. There have also been two separate attacks on a synagogue in Finchley and on four ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity, research from multiple sources shows.
Two further arrests were made on Wednesday morning relating to the Golders Green incident, bringing the total number of arrests to eight, according to research from multiple sources. Three people have been charged, research from multiple sources indicates. The exact motivation behind the arson attack, and whether it is directly linked to foreign state actors, remains unclear. Investigators have not disclosed what evidence, if any, connects the arrested individuals to Harakat Ashab Al Yamin Al Islamia or other groups.
The attack raises significant concerns about press freedom and international tensions. According to Iran International, the outlet condemns the attempted attack near its London studios on the evening of April 15, which it said comes amid 'escalating threats and intimidation'. A spokesman for Iran International condemned the attack, which it called part of a 'sustained effort to intimidate Iran International and silence independent Persian-language journalism beyond Iran's borders.' Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, senior national coordinator for counter-terrorism policing, stated that authorities are aware of the group claiming responsibility and the incidents across Europe, with this being one of many lines of inquiry while remaining open-minded.
Ongoing investigations continue to explore unanswered questions. Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes noted that while none of these incidents have been declared as terrorism at this stage, officers are keeping an open mind regarding motivation, with Counter Terrorism Policing leading the investigations. Jukes added that authorities have seen racist and antisemitic hate crimes, and without commenting on live cases, know that some individuals are being persuaded or paid to act on behalf of foreign organisations and states. The specific threats that led Iran International to move its operations to the US in 2023, and whether they are related to this attack, have not been detailed by authorities. The current status of the investigation into the stabbing of journalist Pouria Zeraati, and any potential link to this arson attack, also remains under review. According to Iran International's editorial board, a suspicious vehicle was denied entry at the main entrance to their site around 8:15pm, and shortly afterwards, incendiary devices were thrown into the car park of a neighbouring building, with their security team responding immediately and police and fire brigade arriving shortly afterwards.