London counterterror police probe suspected Iran-linked synagogue arsons

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British counterterror police are investigating whether or not suspected Iranian proxies are behind a wave of arson assaults focusing on Jewish websites in London, as a chief rabbi warned that such assaults are escalating.

The Metropolitan Police stated specialised counterterror officers are probing fires at synagogues, Jewish-linked amenities and a Persian-language media firm important of Iran’s regime.

The newest incident prompted minor injury to a north London synagogue Saturday night time. No accidents have been reported in any of the blazes, which all occurred inside just a few miles of one another.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans stated investigators are inspecting claims by a gaggle calling itself Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, which has taken accountability for a number of assaults. The group’s title means Islamic Motion of the Companions of the Proper.

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Cops patrol close to Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow, a suburb of London, on April 19, 2026. (Jamie Lashmar/PA)

"We're conscious of public reporting that means this group might have hyperlinks to Iran. As you'd anticipate, we'll proceed to discover that query as our investigation evolves," she stated.

"I’ve spoken beforehand concerning the Iranian regime’s use of legal proxies, and we’re contemplating whether or not this tactic is getting used right here in London," Evans added.

Authorities say the group — which Israel has described as a potential Iranian proxy — has additionally claimed synagogue assaults in Belgium and the Netherlands.

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Police have flooded northwest London with extra officers after a collection of incidents in current weeks, together with the torching of four Jewish charity ambulances within the Golders Inexperienced neighborhood on March 23.

<source media="(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2026/04/672/378/finchley-reform-synagogue-arson-attack-fox-news-001.jpeg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2026/04/1344/756/finchley-reform-synagogue-arson-attack-fox-news-001.jpeg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="378" width="672"> A police officer investigates after an tried arson assault at Finchley Reform Synagogue in north London on April 15, 2026. Metropolitan Police are looking for two suspects after bottles believed to comprise gasoline have been thrown on the constructing. (Toby Shepheard/AFP/Getty Photos)

A number of suspects, starting from youngsters to folks of their 40s, have already been arrested and charged .

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis warned on X that "a sustained campaign of violence and intimidation towards the Jewish neighborhood of the UK is gathering momentum."

"Thank God, no lives have been misplaced, however we can not, and should not, await that to alter earlier than we perceive simply how harmful this second is for all of our society," he added.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the violence, calling the assaults "abhorrent" and vowing these accountable "will probably be discovered and dropped at justice."

<source media="(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2026/04/672/378/finchley-reform-synagogue-arson-attack-fox-news-003-scaled.jpeg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2026/04/1344/756/finchley-reform-synagogue-arson-attack-fox-news-003-scaled.jpeg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="378" width="672"> Police are seen exterior a synagogue in London on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, following an tried arson assault. (Toby Shepheard/AFP/Getty Photos)

The risk degree rose additional after the group launched a video claiming it will goal Israel’s embassy in London with drones carrying hazardous substances. Police shut down close by Kensington Gardens whereas investigating suspicious objects however stated no harmful supplies have been discovered.

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British officers have lengthy warned that Iran makes use of legal networks to hold out assaults in Europe. MI5 says it disrupted greater than 20 probably deadly Iran-linked plots up to now yr.

Police issued a blunt warning to any "thugs for rent" concerned in such assaults.

"Let’s be actually clear — it’s a mug’s sport," stated Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes. "That’s what people who find themselves now serving lengthy jail sentences have discovered, and the identical destiny awaits these accountable for these current crimes."

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Investigators say the probe stays ongoing as authorities work to find out whether or not the assaults are a part of a coordinated foreign-backed marketing campaign.