Authorities have apprehended three individuals in connection with a suspected attempted bomb attack targeting the Bank of America’s Paris headquarters. France’s anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office confirmed the arrests following the incident.
An initial suspect was apprehended at the site after placing a device near the bank. This device reportedly contained five liters of liquid, believed to be fuel, and an ignition system, according to a police source cited by AFP.
Later, on Sunday, French security services announced the detention of two additional people connected to the event. The incident occurred around 03:30 local time on Saturday. It took place in the city’s 8th arrondissement, a short distance from the Champs-Élysées.
France’s Interior Minister, Laurent Nuñez, suggested a potential link between this attempted attack and the ongoing conflict involving the US-Israel and Iran. He stated, “In this type of conflict, you have a number of Iranian services that are likely to carry out actions such as these through proxies.” Nuñez emphasized that while suspicion exists, the investigation will determine the specifics. The Iranian embassy in France has not yet provided a comment on these remarks.
According to a police source, the first suspect taken into custody was accompanied by a second individual. This associate was seen appearing to capture photos and videos with a mobile phone. However, this person fled when law enforcement officers arrived, as reported by AFP.
The prosecutor’s office detailed on Sunday that two further individuals were taken into police custody the previous night. This action is part of a broader investigation launched on March 28, 2026, focusing on offenses committed against the Bank of America. The custody period for the primary suspect, who is identified as a minor, has been extended.
Under French legal statutes, individuals suspected in terrorism cases can be held for up to 96 hours, with the possibility of judicial extension. Minister Nuñez indicated that similar incidents have been thwarted in other European countries, including the Netherlands, Britain, and Norway.
He issued a directive for security services to maintain heightened vigilance and bolster their presence at transportation hubs and other critical locations nationwide. France’s anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office confirmed it assumed immediate control of the investigation. The inquiry is examining charges of “attempted damage by fire or other dangerous means in connection with a terrorist undertaking” and “terrorist criminal conspiracy.” The Paris judicial police and the General Directorate for Internal Security, France’s internal intelligence agency, are also participating in this investigation.