UK Police Investigate Potential Iranian Links to Arson Attacks on Jewish Sites in London

British authorities are investigating a series of arson attacks targeting Jewish sites in London, including synagogues and a Persian-language media company. The latest incident caused minor damage to a north London synagogue on Saturday night. No injuries have been reported.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans stated that the attacks have been claimed online by a group called Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia. "We are aware of public reporting that suggests this group may have links to Iran. As you would expect, we will continue to explore that question as our investigation evolves," she said.

The Metropolitan Police have deployed additional officers to northwest London following these incidents. Several individuals, ranging in age from teens to their 40s, have been arrested and charged in connection with the attacks.

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis expressed concern over the situation, stating that "a sustained campaign of violence and intimidation against the Jewish community of the UK is gathering momentum." Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attacks as "abhorrent" and pledged that "those responsible will be found and brought to justice."

Authorities are also investigating a video posted by Harakat Ashab al-Y ... , which threatened an attack on Israel's London embassy using drones carrying dangerous substances. While no attack occurred, police temporarily closed Kensington Gardens on Friday to examine discarded items, including two jars containing powder. No harmful substances were found.

The UK has previously accused Iran of using criminal proxies to conduct attacks on European soil targeting opposition media outlets and the Jewish community. Britain's MI5 domestic intelligence service reported disrupting more than 20 "potentially lethal" Iran-backed plots in the year leading up to October.

Security experts caution that Harakat Ashab al-Y ... may be a fictitious organization created to provide plausible deniability and confuse investigators. Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes warned that individuals involved in such attacks would face justice, stating, "Let’s be really clear — it’s a mug’s game. That’s what people who are now serving long prison sentences have found out, and the same fate awaits those responsible for these recent crimes."