Three Men Charged in Alleged Iran-Backed Terror Plot Targeting Jewish Communities in Europe and the US
The US Department of Justice has announced terrorism-related charges against three men suspected of planning or coordinating nearly 20 attacks and attempted attacks targeting Jewish communities across Europe and the United States. Investigators believe the suspects were operating with support from Iran-linked terrorist organisations, with one of the accused already in American custody.
The charges were detailed in an eight-count superseding indictment unsealed on Tuesday. The suspects were identified as Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, a dual Iranian-Iraqi national; Mohsen Mohajeri, an Iranian national; and Mohammad Ali al-Hassani, an Iraqi national.
According to US Attorney Jamie McDonald, al-Saadi, who was arrested in the spring, allegedly continued coordinating with his co-defendants shortly before an attempted terrorist plot in September targeting Britain's Royal Air Force base at RAF Fairford. The facility in western England houses American military personnel and has been used by US bombers.
McDonald stated that the accused allegedly helped organise a wider campaign of violence on behalf of terrorist organisations affiliated with Iran. The alleged targets included Jewish communities in Europe and the United States, as well as the British military installation hosting American service members.
The indictment has also provided additional details about a security operation in the United Kingdom. According to reports by the Associated Press, five men were arrested on September 27 on suspicion of explosives-related and terrorism offences after three suspicious vans were spotted travelling towards RAF Fairford. A sixth suspect, a British-Iranian dual national, was arrested several days later.
All six individuals arrested in the UK were subsequently released on bail. The investigation is ongoing, while the newly unsealed US indictment has brought further attention to the alleged international network and its suspected efforts to target Jewish communities and military installations. The allegations against the accused have yet to be established in court.
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