Dutch probing Iran links to synagogue attack: minister

The four youths arrested on suspicion of detonating an explosive device outside a Rotterdam synagogue were probably "recruited", the Dutch justice minister said Tuesday, with investigators probing possible links to Iran.

The attack on the synagogue in the early hours of Friday was followed by similar explosions outside a Jewish school and an office building in Amsterdam.

The blasts caused minimal damage to the buildings and no one was hurt.

"Until now, everything points to the fact that the young men in Rotterdam were recruited," David van Weel told parliament.

"And the possibility that Iran is involved in this attack is being explicitly investigated," he added.

Dutch police arrested two men, one aged 19 and the other aged 18, and a 17-year-old for the Rotterdam attack, which prosecutors believe was carried out "for terrorist purposes".

Van Weel said authorities were also looking into possible links between the attacks.

On Monday, police released images of two individuals suspected of being behind the Amsterdam attack, appealing to the public for help tracking them down.

Van Weel described the attacks as "cowardly acts".

"Antisemitism, intimidation and violence against Jews must have no place in the Netherlands," said the minister.