Terrorist threat escalates! Goldman Sachs' Paris headquarters receives bomb threat; U.S.-funded banks are on alert.
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Security threats against US-funded financial institutions erupted in Paris, bringing the spillover risks of Middle Eastern geopolitical conflict directly into the core of Europe's financial sector.
The direct trigger of this round of crisis was an attempted bombing incident that occurred near the Bank of America's Paris office last Saturday. French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated that there may be a connection with the Iran conflict, and investigations are ongoing.
On Wednesday night local time, Paris police deployed security at Goldman Sachs’ France headquarters. Previously, US authorities had issued a warning to Goldman Sachs about potential threats. According to Le Parisien, threats included an Iranian group that threatened to bomb the building.
This situation led several American banks to initiate emergency plans successively. Goldman Sachs Paris employees were approved to work from home on Thursday; Citigroup employees in Paris and Frankfurt also switched to remote work on Thursday and Friday. A spokesperson for the bank described this as a preventive measure.
Attempted Bombing Triggers Chain Reaction
The direct trigger of this round of crisis was the attempted bombing near the Bank of America's Paris office last Saturday.
French authorities promptly uncovered and foiled the plot, launching an investigation immediately. On Monday, French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated publicly that the incident may be connected to the Iran conflict, but emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing.
So far, four suspects have been formally charged with terrorism offenses, three of whom are minors. The organizers and full command chain behind the case have not yet been officially confirmed.
Goldman Sachs’ Paris Headquarters on High Alert, US Banks Generally Activate Remote Work Plans
After warnings from US intelligence, Paris police deployed security at Goldman Sachs’ France headquarters on Wednesday night. According to Le Parisien, the threat intelligence specifically identified an Iranian group, which threatened to use explosives to attack the building.
On Thursday, the Paris prosecutor stated that after an on-site inspection, no suspicious items were found at the Goldman Sachs office. According to a source, Goldman Sachs Paris employees were allowed to work from home on Thursday.
The threat has now affected a wider group of US banks. Citigroup confirmed that employees in Paris and Frankfurt switched to remote work on Thursday and Friday, and a spokesperson described this as a preventive measure. Other banks have taken similar actions.
Currently, there is no evidence that these institutions' normal business operations have been substantively affected, but changes in employee attendance reflect the cautious attitude of financial institutions toward the current security situation.
Paris Citywide Strengthens Protection of Critical Sites
The response to security threats has extended beyond the financial sector to a wider scope.
On Thursday, Paris police stated that they are comprehensively strengthening protection at religious, cultural, diplomatic, and economic sites in the Paris region related to the current "international situation."
French President Macron, visiting Seoul, South Korea, stated that authorities will remain highly vigilant against potential terrorist threats to "reassure all groups in France and elsewhere who may become targets of attacks."
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