Petrol‑bomb arson hits Kenton United Synagogue as US indictment links three men to London terror plot
The attack on 18 April 2026 follows an eight‑count indictment by the US Department of Justice that accuses three Iran‑backed suspects of planning multiple attacks across the capital.
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A petrol‑bomb arson attack damaged the Kenton United Synagogue on Shaftsbury Avenue in Harrow on 18 April 2026. The incident is being investigated as a terrorist act and is linked to an eight‑count US indictment that accuses three men of planning a series of attacks on Jewish sites in London.
US indictment outlines alleged plot
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The US Department of Justice said the indictment charges Iranian‑Iraqi national Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al‑Saadi, Iranian national Mohsen Mohajeri and Iraqi national Mohammad Ali al‑Hassani with terrorism‑related offences. According to the legal papers, on or about 6 April 2026 Mohajeri and al‑Hassani met in a room in Iraq and used a laptop to display a map of London while discussing potential attacks. The indictment records Mohajeri telling al‑Hassani, “we need to get focused on London,” as reported by The Standard.
Arson at Kenton United Synagogue
The arson on 18 April targeted the Kenton United Synagogue with a petrol bomb, causing significant damage to the building’s façade and interior fittings. Metropolitan Police confirmed the use of an improvised incendiary device but have not yet identified the individual who set it. The attack follows other alleged incidents described in the indictment, including arson on Hatzola ambulances and an attempted strike on a Jewish charity.
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"We need to get focused on London"
Mohsen Mohajeri, alleged conspirator, as reported by The Standard
Local response and next steps
Harrow Council has issued a statement urging residents to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the Met’s counter‑terrorism unit. Police have secured the site, collected forensic evidence and are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby streets. The investigation remains active, and the three men named in the US indictment have not been arrested in the UK. Residents can contact the local Safer Neighbourhoods team at 020 8455 1234 for updates.
Questions this report answers
+What happened at the Kenton United Synagogue?
On 18 April 2026 a petrol‑bomb arson attack damaged the synagogue on Shaftsbury Avenue in Harrow. The incident is being treated as a terrorist act and is linked to a US indictment that accuses three men of planning attacks on Jewish sites in London.
+Who are the men charged in the US indictment?
The US Department of Justice charged Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al‑Saadi, Mohsen Mohajeri and Mohammad Ali al‑Hassani with eight terrorism‑related counts. The indictment alleges they plotted attacks from Iraq and coordinated actions against several Jewish targets in London.
+How does the indictment connect to the arson attack?
The indictment states that Mohajeri and al‑Hassani discussed London‑focused attacks on 6 April 2026 while viewing a map on a computer. The same documents link a later arson on 18 April 2026 at Kenton United Synagogue to the broader plot outlined in the charges.
+What should residents do now?
Metropolitan Police have secured the synagogue and are gathering evidence. Residents are advised to stay alert, report suspicious behaviour to the Safer Neighbourhoods team at 020 8455 1234 and follow updates from Harrow Council and the Met.
News London Desk
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