Two new individuals were arrested on the night of Saturday 28 to Sunday 29 March 2026 as part of the investigation into the failed attack on the Parisian headquarters of the Bank of America, the National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor’s Office (Pnat) stated. The custody of the minor arrested on Saturday has been “extended,” the Pnat clarified, confirming information from Le Parisien. In total, three individuals are now in custody in this case, which Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said has a “connection” to the war in the Middle East.
The events occurred on Saturday around 3:30 am, on rue La Boétie in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, in front of the Bank of America offices. Police arrested a man who had just planted an improvised explosive device. The man arrested at the scene was about to ignite the device with a lighter. He was accompanied by a second individual who fled on foot.
According to initial information, the two men arrived on foot in front of the American establishment. While the first man placed the device, the second man stepped back, apparently to take photos or a video with his phone.
The explosive device consisted of a 5-liter clear canister of liquid, likely a hydrocarbon, and a fire ignition system. The anti-terrorist prosecutor’s office immediately took over the case and opened an investigation, including for “attempted degradation by fire or dangerous means related to a terrorist enterprise”.
The investigation has been entrusted to the anti-terrorist section of the judicial police’s criminal brigade in Paris and to the Directorate General of Internal Security (DGSI). The minor arrested on Saturday explained, according to a police source, that he was recruited via the Snapchat application to carry out this operation for a sum of 600 euros. He claimed to be Senegalese, according to a source close to the case.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez mentioned on Saturday night “similarities” between the modus operandi of this thwarted attack and actions carried out in several European countries and claimed by a mysterious group, considered close to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. While Laurent Nuñez stated he did not know who was “the mastermind,” he added, “There is still a suspicion” of an action carried out by “proxies” (intermediaries) of the Iranians.
Since the start of the war in the Middle East, the Interior Minister has issued multiple warnings calling for “extreme vigilance” from law enforcement, particularly to protect Iranian opposition groups, their associations, Jewish places of worship, as well as American and Israeli interests, all identified as potential targets for terrorist acts. To do so, Laurent Nuñez has requested a strengthened mobilization of law enforcement with a more significant commitment from the Sentinel operation forces, particularly in train stations and public places with high foot traffic.
