France suspects link to pro-Iranian group HAYI in foiled Paris bomb plot

French anti-terrorism prosecutors announced on Wednesday that they suspect a previously unknown pro-Iranian group, HAYI, is behind a foiled attack targeting the Bank of America headquarters in Paris. The group, whose full name is Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiyya (Movement of the Companions of the Right Hand of Islam), posted a video on social media on March 23 that specifically named the bank's offices in the French capital's 8th district as a target. While stressing the link is not yet formally established, authorities cited the video and a modus operandi observed in similar operations across Europe as key reasons for their suspicion.

HAYI emerged recently, claiming responsibility for a spate of attacks on US, Israeli, and Jewish targets across Europe. Security sources indicate the group appears to be using an operational model previously associated with Iran, which involves recruiting local criminal groups or petty criminals to carry out attacks. This foiled plot underscores the ongoing threat to Western financial and Jewish interests in Europe from newly formed, Iran-aligned militant groups employing decentralized tactics.