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US Charges Three Men Over Alleged Iran-Backed Terror Plots at RAF Fairford
US Charges Three Men Over Alleged Iran-Backed Terror Plots at RAF Fairford
The United States has charged three men with orchestrating terrorist plots across Europe and the US, including a specific operation targeting a British airbase housing American military assets. The Justice Department’s indictment links the defendants to an Iran-aligned network responsible for nearly 20 alleged attacks.
The United States has charged three men with orchestrating terrorist plots across Europe and the US, including a specific operation targeting a British airbase housing American military assets. The Justice Department’s indictment links the defendants to an Iran-aligned network responsible for nearly 20 alleged attacks.
US authorities unsealed an eight-count superseding indictment on Tuesday charging Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al Saadi, Mohsen Mohajeri, and Mohammad Ali Al Hassani with terrorism-related offenses. According to the filing, the men operated on behalf of a network aligned with Kataib Hezbollah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, both designated as terrorist organizations by Washington.
Prosecutors allege that Mr. Al Hassani, an Iraqi national, orchestrated a plot against RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire in September. The indictment states he recruited associates in Britain to conduct surveillance of the base and arrange logistics for an attempted attack. The facility was housing American military aircraft and personnel at the time.
The US recently evacuated B-1B bombers from RAF Fairford following the arrest of a group of men over the alleged plot against the site. The British government has since attributed responsibility for that incident to Iran.
Mr. Al Saadi, a dual Iranian-Iraqi national, is currently in US custody awaiting trial on separate terrorism charges in New York. He was arrested abroad in May and transferred to face those earlier charges. Despite being incarcerated, prosecutors allege he attempted to coordinate with Mr. Al Hassani and Mr. Mohajeri, who are located in Iran, by passing coded messages through family members.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the case demonstrates Iran’s determination to carry out attacks in Europe and the US. "According to the indictment, one of the subjects is behind bars awaiting trial yet he allegedly sent coded messages to assist in future acts of violence," Mr. Patel said.
The updated charges relate to a broader campaign of nearly 20 alleged terrorist attacks and attempted attacks. The indictment also links the defendants to a series of violent incidents against Jewish communities in Europe during the spring of 2026. These included arson and explosives attacks, as well as a near-fatal stabbing in London that seriously injured two men, one of whom held dual US-British citizenship.
US Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized the government's stance on such threats. "Anyone who plans a terrorist plot on a military base housing American service members will be prosecuted by the United States government," he said in a statement.
(C.Young--TAG)
