British authorities have launched an investigation into a suspected arson attack on ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity in Golders Green, London, with officials examining possible links to Iranian-backed groups.
Four ambulances operated by Hatzola were set on fire in the early hours of Monday, triggering multiple explosions caused by onboard gas canisters. The incident is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime, though police have not classified it as terrorism.
Commissioner Mark Rowley said investigators are exploring all lines of enquiry, including an online claim of responsibility by an Islamist group believed to have potential links to the Iranian state. However, he cautioned that it is “too early” to directly attribute the attack to Tehran. Police believe at least three suspects were involved.
The attack comes amid growing concerns over what authorities describe as a sharp rise in hostile activities linked to Iran. Rowley warned of an evolving threat landscape, citing multiple disrupted plots and increased surveillance targeting both Iranian dissidents and Jewish communities in the UK.
An Iran-aligned group, Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya – The Islamic Movement of the People of the Right Hand, claimed responsibility for the attack on social media, though the claim remains unverified. The group has previously alleged involvement in similar incidents across Europe, including attacks on synagogues and Jewish institutions in Belgium and the Netherlands.
In response, police have stepped up security measures, deploying 264 additional officers and increasing visible armed patrols to protect Jewish communities across London. Meanwhile, the UK government has summoned Iran’s ambassador to the UK, Seyed Ali Mousavi, condemning what it described as Iran’s “reckless and destabilising actions.”
The incident has heightened fears within the Jewish community, particularly in Golders Green, which has a significant Jewish population. Authorities have urged unity and vigilance as investigations continue.
Melissa Enoch
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