In a powerful demonstration of global law enforcement collaboration and unwavering commitment to national security, a comprehensive indictment has unveiled the chilling scope of Iran-backed terrorism, directly linking two Iranian nationals and one Iraqi citizen to a foiled attack on a crucial UK airbase and a staggering array of nearly 20 other terror plots across the United States and Europe.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has brought forth an eight-count superseding indictment against Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, 32, a dual Iranian-Iraqi national; Mohsen Mohajeri, 48, an Iranian national; and Mohammad Ali al-Hassani, 35, an Iraqi national. These individuals stand accused of terrorism-related offenses for their alleged activities in support of Kata’ib Hizballah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), both unequivocally designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the United States.
This latest indictment significantly expands the charges against al-Saadi, originally filed in May, now portraying him as a seasoned operative for Kata’ib Hizballah, the IRGC, and other nefarious terrorist groups. Court filings detail his alleged involvement in 18 terrorist attacks across Europe and a sinister plot to bomb a synagogue in New York.
Remarkably, prosecutors allege that al-Saadi, while already detained in a New York jail awaiting trial, continued his shadowy work. He reportedly attempted to coordinate the September attack on the Royal Air Base (RAF) Fairford by transmitting coded messages through third parties to al-Hassani and Mohajeri, who chillingly directed the entire operation remotely from Iran.
RAF Fairford, a vital strategic asset, was at the time hosting approximately a dozen U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers, directly involved in operations concerning the Iranian conflict. The plot was thwarted on September 27 when local police, alerted by a vigilant resident, intercepted three suspicious vehicles approaching the base. Seven UK-based men were arrested, with two subsequently charged: Mohmed Ahmad Abdulkarim, a British national, for assisting a foreign intelligence service (believed to be Iran), and Nouman Essghir, a dual British-Iranian citizen, for entering a prohibited place with harmful intent.
The American military aircraft were promptly relocated from the base following the successful disruption of this terrorist scheme, a prudent move underscoring the severity of the threat.
Attorney General Todd Blanche declared unequivocally, "Anyone who plans a terrorist plot on a military base housing American servicemembers will be prosecuted by the United States government." This statement serves as a potent reminder of America's steadfast resolve against those who seek to harm our personnel and interests.
Prosecutors further contend that al-Saadi, Mohajeri, and al-Hassani conspired to execute terrorist attacks across both Europe and the United States on behalf of this dangerous Iran-aligned network. The superseding indictment, filed November 10, lays bare several alleged attacks in March and April, including targets such as the Bank of New York Mellon building in Amsterdam, the Bank of America building in Paris, multiple synagogues, ambulances, a Jewish charity organization, the Israeli Embassy, and attacks on two Jewish men in London. This grotesque spree of targets clearly demonstrates the ideological hatred driving these operations.
Disturbingly, court documents indicate that Mohajeri’s Iranian bank account allegedly funded these attacks. The same documents reveal Mohajeri boasted of working with the head of the IRGC’s special operations division, even traveling to Iraq from Iran in March to collaboratively plan these atrocities.
Adding to the audacity, al-Saadi allegedly attempted to coordinate terrorist attacks within the United States in March and April, including targeting a synagogue in Manhattan. His arrest abroad around May 1, and subsequent transfer to the United States for prosecution, underscores the global nature of this struggle against terror.
The depth of the conspiracy is further revealed in allegations that on August 22, al-Hassani paid an individual to record video near the English airbase and financed several others to acquire vans and barrels of fuel in preparation for the September plot. Investigators state that co-conspirators even researched chemical accelerants, including large quantities of potassium chloride, and metallic objects to be used as explosive shrapnel – a chilling glimpse into their murderous intent. The alleged terrorists even crafted decals to disguise their vans as belonging to fuel delivery and swimming pool supply businesses, a brazen attempt at deception that thankfully failed.
Despite his detention, prosecutors allege al-Saadi remained deeply involved, passing messages to his family during phone calls and directing both funding and operational details for the attack. FBI Washington Assistant Director in Charge Darren Cox fittingly noted, "The allegations in today’s superseding indictment reflect the persistent threat posed by foreign terrorist organizations."
All three defendants face serious charges, including two counts of conspiring to provide support to foreign terrorist organizations (Kata’ib Hizballah and the IRGC), one count of conspiring to provide material support for acts of terrorism, one count of providing material support for acts of terrorism, conspiring to bomb a place of public use, and financing terrorism.
Al-Saadi faces additional charges for attempted destruction of property by means of fire or explosive and attempted acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries, carrying a maximum sentence of life in prison. If convicted on all eight charges, al-Saadi could spend two life sentences plus 95 years behind bars. Al-Hassani and Mohajeri face a maximum of 90 years in prison and one life sentence. Both al-Hassani and Mohajeri remain at-large, a stark reminder that the fight against these forces of destruction is far from over.
This case serves as a grave warning about the insidious reach of state-sponsored terror, particularly from regimes like Iran, which relentlessly seek to undermine Western security and American values. It is a testament to the vigilance of our intelligence and law enforcement agencies that such plots are uncovered and neutralized, but it also underscores the critical need for an America First foreign policy that confronts these threats head-on, protecting our nation and its allies from those who harbor truly evil intentions.
