Security agencies investigate claim Iran-linked group behind London ambulance arson

Met police say authenticating claim of responsibility by Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia is ‘priority’ Security agencies are investigating whether a group linked to Iran is behind an arson attack on four ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity in north London. The Metropolitan police said efforts to authenticate a claim of responsibility made by a group known as Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI) were a priority as the force sought to track three hooded people caught on CCTV at the scene. It is understood MI5, which is working closely with counter-terrorism officers, has not ruled out Tehran’s involvement in the explosions in Golders Green, an area of north London that has a large Jewish community. But security sources also cautioned against a rush to tie Iran to the arson, leaving open the possibility of an antisemitic attack with no link to Iran or any organised group. It has not so far been designated as a terrorist incident. The group, whose name translates as the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right, and which the Israeli government has linked to Iran, has claimed responsibility for similar attacks against Jewish institutions in the Netherlands and Belgium