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Three Charged After Attempted Arson at Persian-Language Media Office in London
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 17, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 17, 2026
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Quick Summary
British police have charged three British nationals—a 21‑year‑old, a 19‑year‑old, and a 16‑year‑old boy—with arson with intent to endanger life following an attempted arson at a Persian‑language media office in Wembley on April 15. The ignited container they threw self‑extinguished; no damage or inj
Three charged after attempted arson at Iran International office in London
Details of the Attempted Arson Incident and Related Events
Overview of the Incident
LONDON, April 17 (Reuters) - British police said on Friday they had charged three people over an attempted arson attack on offices linked to television station Iran International in northwest London earlier this week.
The three, two men and a teenager and all British, are accused of arson with intent to endanger life after an ignited container was thrown towards the premises of the parent company of Iran International, Volant Media, on Wednesday evening, landing in a car park.
The fire immediately put itself out, causing no damage nor injuries.
Security Measures and Suspect Details
Iran International, a London-based television station critical of Tehran's government, said a suspicious vehicle was denied entry to its London site shortly before the incendiary devices were thrown.
Oisin McGuinness, 21, Nathan Dunn, 19, and a 16-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons, are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court later on Friday. McGuinness was also charged with dangerous driving.
Police Response and Investigation
Police said a vehicle fled the scene and crashed after being pursued by an armed response unit which was in the area.
Context: Other Recent Arson Attacks in North London
Incident at Synagogue
The incident came a day after police arrested two suspects following an attempted arson attack on a synagogue, also in north London.
Attacks on Jewish Community Services
Last month, several ambulances belonging to the Jewish volunteer emergency service Hatzola were set alight while parked near a synagogue in the Golders Green area of north London.
Police Statements and Community Impact
Official Police Comments
None of the incidents have been linked but Matt Jukes, a deputy commissioner for London's Metropolitan Police, said he understood why conflict overseas and heightened tensions in Britain would be "deeply worrying".
Targeting of Communities
"London’s Jewish communities and the Iranian diaspora in London have, in recent years, been increasingly targeted by individuals, groups and hostile states intent on spreading fear, hate and harm," Jukes said.
(Reporting by Sam Tabahriti and Michael Holden; editing by Sarah Young and Catarina Demony)
Key Takeaways
- •The incident occurred on the evening of April 15 in Wembley, northwest London, when an ignited container was thrown toward the media offices, landing in a car park and self‑extinguishing with no injuries or damage reported (news.met.police.uk).
- •Following the incident, suspects fled in a black SUV, which crashed and led to the arrest of the three suspects—aged 16, 19 and 21—who were charged with arson with intent to endanger life (news.met.police.uk).
- •The case is being investigated by Counter Terrorism Policing London, although it is not currently being treated as a terrorist incident; it forms part of a string of recent arson attacks in northwest London, including incidents at a synagogue and Jewish charity ambulances, though no links have been established (news.met.police.uk).
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Three charged after attempted arson at Persian-language media office in London
1Who was charged in the attempted arson at the Persian-language media office?
Oisin McGuinness, Nathan Dunn, and a 16-year-old boy were charged in the incident.
2What charges were brought against the suspects?
They were charged with arson with intent to endanger life.
3Where did the attempted arson take place?
The incident occurred at a Persian-language media organisation's office in northwest London.
4What is the nationality of the suspects?
All three suspects are British nationals.
