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Counter-terrorism police are leading the probe into a feared Iranian firebombing of four Jewish community ambulances. Three thugs torched the vehicles in Golders Green, London, before fleeing and sparking widespread outrage.

Intelligence chiefs and detectives are now trying to piece together whether an Iranian terror group carried out the horror.

The Ashab al-Yamin group – the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right – claimed responsibility for the sickening attack, prompting warnings of a “chilling escalation” from Iran.

An unverified video posted at 6.13am on Monday on its Telegram channel showed images of the ambulances and footage of explosions.

At the start of the video posted on Telegram, a message in English said the group’s primary target was the Machzike Hadath Synagogue due to its links to Israel.

The post also cited Conservative former prime minister Rishi Sunak’s visit to the synagogue during the election campaign in June 2024 to express “his country’s unwavering support for Israel”.

Dr Alan Mendoza, executive director of the Henry Jackson Society, said: “The Iran regime linked ‘Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right’ has claimed responsibility for the Golders Green attack.

“Remember that our Government is pretending we are not involved in the war and can’t even mention Islamism, let alone accept it’s a massive UK problem.”

The think-tank’s Emma Schubart said: “This is a chilling escalation – an Iran-backed Islamist terror proxy now carrying out attacks on British soil.

“The targeting of Jewish community infrastructure in London is not random. It is calculated psychological warfare designed to spread fear and generate maximum publicity.

“We have already seen this group strike across Europe. Belgium has responded by deploying its military to protect Jewish sites. The UK must act with the same urgency.

“This is not just vandalism – it is a national security threat. Ministers must move immediately to bolster protection for Jewish communities and deny these terrorists the spectacle they are seeking.”

Ms Schubart added: “Ashab al-Yamin has claimed several recent terrorist attacks targeting Jews across Europe:

• March 9 – Explosion at synagogue in Liège, Belgium

• March 13 – Arson/explosion at synagogue in Rotterdam

• March 14 – Explosive device detonated at a Jewish school in Amsterdam

“The group explicitly frames the attacks as retaliation to the Israel-Hamas war and broader Middle East conflict.

“The goal seems to be psychological warfare: intimidate Jews across Europe, force increased security spend and pressure governments to distance themselves from Israel.”

The brazen attack is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime by the Metropolitan Police.

But officers said they could not confirm whether operatives from Ashab al-Yamin – or any other Iranian group – were behind the attack.

Det Ch Supt Luke Williams said: “While this has not been declared a terrorist incident at this stage, the investigation is now being led by Counter Terrorism Policing with all the specialist expertise they bring, and all lines of inquiry remain open.

“We are aware of an online claim from a group taking responsibility for this attack. Establishing the authenticity and accuracy of this claim will be a priority for the investigation team, but it is not something we can confirm at this point.”

Former home secretary Suella Braverman labelled the arson “terrorism”.

She said a failure “to ban the hate marches and a tolerance of antisemitism have led us to this”.

Mrs Braverman added: “Let’s call this what it is: terrorism.

“Two-tier policing, failure to ban the hate marches and a tolerance of antisemitism have led us to this.

“Spineless governments – Tory and Labour – have utterly failed to stop the poison of extremism from spreading on our streets.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed it was treating the suspected arson attack as an antisemitic hate crime.

And Mrs Braverman’s comments were echoed by Israeli diplomats living in the UK.

Alex Gandler, the spokesman for the Israeli government, declared: “The arson attack against Hatzolah ambulances in north-west London is a manifestation of the hatred and evil that was once again allowed to pour through the streets of London this past Saturday.

“It is the predictable consequence of years of tolerated incitement, vitriol and hostility directed at Jews. Nobody should be surprised by the reactions that will now follow the attack, including the instinctive effort by some to blame Jews even when they are the victims.

“There has been a profound failure of responsibility, and a collapse of priorities that runs directly against the most basic standards of decency.

“And this cannot end with words alone.

“There must be a full and thorough investigation, those responsible must be found and prosecuted, and the climate of intimidation that made such an attack possible must finally be confronted.”

Reform leader Nigel Farage added: “The horrible attack on volunteer ambulances is part of a rising tide of hate against Jewish communities in Britain.

“As I write, more undocumented young men are crossing the Channel. Many will be from Iran – we have an open door to potential enemies.”

The London Fire Brigade said six fire engines and 40 firefighters raced to the scene after they received calls from residents at around 1.45am.

The fire was brought under control by 3.06am and no one was injured.

Firefighters said multiple cylinders inside the vehicles exploded, causing windows to shatter in an adjacent block of flats.

Attacks on the Jewish community have risen worldwide since Hamas’s assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the war in Gaza that followed.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “This is a hideous antisemitic attack on a charity which provides vital ambulance services.

“I visited Hatzola myself just a few months ago and saw the incredible work they do.

“The Jewish community has been targeted again and again – including in the Islamist attack on Heaton Park synagogue last autumn.

“Whoever is guilty of this sickening crime must go to jail for a long time – and if they are not British citizens, they must then be deported.

“We must make sure that the UK is safe for our Jewish community and we must relentlessly work to eliminate the ancient scourge of antisemitism.”

Jewish community leaders condemned the attack, with the Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis saying the targeting of the volunteer service was “particularly sickening”.

And Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “This is a deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack.

“My thoughts are with the Jewish community who are waking up this morning to this horrific news.

“Antisemitism has no place in our society.

“Anyone with any information must come forward to the police.”