Lead

French anti-terrorism prosecutors have opened an investigation into an attempted attack on Bank of America's Paris offices, suspecting the involvement of a previously unknown pro-Iranian group called HAYI, according to statements from the prosecutor's office carried by Reuters and reported by the Jerusalem Post and the South China Morning Post. The attack, foiled on March 28, involved a device containing a 650-gram active-material cylinder with a fuse, according to the Jerusalem Post. The link to HAYI has not been formally established, prosecutors stressed.

Coverage comparison

Both the Jerusalem Post and the South China Morning Post reported similar details from the prosecutor's office, including the group's name and its suspected role. The Jerusalem Post added specific information about the device and the four suspects, which was not included in the South China Morning Post's report. Both outlets highlighted the group's social media video targeting Jewish interests in France and Europe, and both noted the group's apparent use of a model linked to Iran.

Key claims

  • The anti-terrorism prosecutor's office said HAYI had posted a video on March 23 targeting Jewish interests and communities in France and Europe, specifically naming Bank of America's Paris headquarters in the 8th district.
  • The prosecutor's office stated that the attack "appears to be linked to the HAYI group, although this has not yet been formally established at this stage of the proceedings."
  • The Jerusalem Post reported that four suspects, three minors and one adult, have been formally placed under investigation.
  • Security sources, quoted by both outlets, say the group appears to be using a model previously linked to Iran to recruit criminal groups or petty criminals to carry out attacks.
  • A senior Western diplomat, cited by the Jerusalem Post, said Iran uses paid criminal gangs to carry out attacks, though this claim was not included in the South China Morning Post report.

Perspectives

French prosecutors caution that the link between HAYI and the foiled attack is not yet formally proven, reflecting a careful investigative approach. Security sources and a Western diplomat point to a broader pattern of Iran using criminal networks for attacks in Europe, a claim that has been reported by multiple outlets but remains based on unnamed sources. The group HAYI, which was unknown until a series of claimed attacks across Europe on US, Israeli, and Jewish targets, is described as new, and its origin and affiliation are still under investigation.