A boy and two men have been charged with arson after a petrol bomb attack on a London TV station that is critical of the Iranian regime.

Oisin McGuinness, 21, and Nathan Dunn, 19, both of Watford, and a 16-year-old boy, of north London, have been charged with arson with intent to endanger life.

McGuinness has also been charged with dangerous driving.

All three British nationals appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court today. Wearing grey tracksuits, they spoke only to confirm their personal details.

Officers on patrol in northwest London were alerted at around 8:30pm on Wednesday that an ignited container had been thrown into the premises of Volant Media - which owns UK-based broadcaster Iran International.

Iran International has been repeatedly targeted as the organisation is openly critical of the Iranian government's regime.

The container landed in a carpark, where the fire immediately put itself out. There were no reported injuries.

Urgent enquiries were carried out and it was established that the suspects had left the area in a black SUV.

A police Armed Response Vehicle (ARV), which was in the area located a vehicle matching this description and began a pursuit. 

It later crashed on Ballards Lane, close to the junction with Woodberry Gardens, N12.

A number of buildings near to the premises were evacuated as a precaution, before it was established there was no wider risk.

At Westminster Magistrates' Court today, prosecutor Rebecca Waller said: 'It is perceived that these three were instructed to do this action.'

McGuinness is said to have be the driver of the hired Peugeot SUV, with Ms Waller adding: 'There are some aspects to show he may be involved in preparation'.

She told the court: 'They changed their clothing, there were gloves in the car, there were petrol cans, and we know accelerants were used at the scene.'

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring remanded the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, in custody under the care of a local authority accommodation, saying: 'You must live and sleep as they direct.'

McGuinness and Dunn were also remanded in custody.

'Given you were both adults charged with an indictable only offence, I am sending you for trial at the Central Criminal Court on 15 May for your pre-trial hearing,' the judge said.

Several members of Dunn's family observed the proceedings from the court's public gallery.

As he was being led away to the custody cells, his mother mouthed the words: 'I love you.'

The three will next appear at the Old Bailey on 15 May, where they are expected to enter pleas.

The attack is not being treated as a terrorist incident but is being investigated by detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing London, supported by officers from the North West Command Area.

It has not been linked to the attempted arson attack in Finchley this week or last month's arson in Golders Green.