Three charged over arson attack on Persian language media group in London

Three people have been charged in connection with an arson attack at a Persian-language media group in northwest London.

Oisin McGuinness, 21, and Nathan Dunn, 19, both from Watford, and a 16-year-old boy from north London were all charged with arson with intent to endanger life. All three are British nationals.

McGuinness was also charged with dangerous driving. The trio are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday.

The Metropolitan Police said a lit container was thrown at a premises - understood to be the offices of Volant Media, the parent company of Persian news channel Iran International - in Park Royal at around 8.30pm on Wednesday.

The container landed in a car park, where the fire went out.

The three suspects fled in a black SUV, with a police armed response unit giving chase after the driver failed to stop.

The SUV later crashed in Ballards Lane, close to the junction with Woodberry Gardens, N12.

McGuinness, Dunn and the 16-year-old boy were arrested on suspicion of arson endangering life at the time before being charged on Friday.

Some nearby buildings were evacuated as a precaution, but the attempted arson did not cause any injuries or damage.

The attack is not currently linked to recent arson incidents targeting a synagogue in Finchley and ambulances in Golders Green.

Read more from Sky News:
Badenoch urged to go on UK 'apology tour'
On-its-knees Cuba 'is next' on Trump's list

However, the Met said it was aware of claims of responsibility for the attempted arson attacks by the Iran-linked Islamist group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia.

The group, which has claimed other attacks across Europe since the war in Iran began, posted videos on Wednesday on Telegram about the two incidents, according to terror group monitor Site Intelligence.

(c) Sky News 2026: Three charged over arson attack on Persian language media group in London