The indictment describes a coordinated campaign of violence beginning in March, targeting Jewish communities, Israeli interests and American personnel across Europe.
By United with Israel Staff
A sprawling Iranian-backed terrorist network allegedly carried out a wave of violent attacks against Jewish communities across Europe while plotting additional strikes against Israeli and American targets, according to a sweeping indictment announced by the US Justice Department on Tuesday.
The eight-count indictment, unsealed in federal court in Manhattan, charges three men with orchestrating or attempting nearly 20 terrorist attacks, including synagogue bombings, arson attacks against Jewish institutions and the stabbing of two Jewish men in London.
The suspects also allegedly plotted to bomb a British military base housing American forces, raising concerns about Iranian-backed terrorist operations extending beyond the Middle East.
Federal prosecutors identified the defendants as 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.
According to investigators, the three operated on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Kataib Hezbollah, an Iraqi terrorist organization backed by Tehran.
The indictment describes a coordinated campaign of violence beginning in March, targeting Jewish communities, Israeli interests and American personnel across Europe.
Among the attacks was the stabbing of two Jewish men in London in April, including an American citizen. Synagogues and other Jewish institutions were also targeted in a series of arson and attempted bombing attacks.
Prosecutors allege that the network’s organizers sometimes directed attacks through live video calls, providing instructions as the violence unfolded and recording the incidents for propaganda purposes.
In one conversation recorded on April 6, Mohajeri allegedly instructed al-Hassani that “we need to get focused on London.”
A terrorist group known as Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI), which US authorities identify as a front for Kataib Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations, subsequently claimed responsibility for six attacks in the London area.
On April 18, al-Hassani allegedly instructed an attacker preparing to strike a London synagogue to “light it up like a Christmas tree.”
The attacker then ignited an improvised explosive device and threw it at the synagogue, according to prosecutors.
The network also allegedly planned to bomb a synagogue in Manhattan.
The indictment further details a September plot targeting RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England, a British air base used by American military aircraft and personnel during operations against Iran.
According to prosecutors, al-Hassani coordinated preparations from Iran, directing associates in Britain to conduct surveillance of the installation and purchase vans, fuel and materials intended for use in explosives.
The conspirators allegedly disguised three vehicles with commercial decals, making them appear to belong to fuel delivery and swimming pool supply companies.
On September 26, al-Hassani reportedly instructed his associates to drive the vehicles toward the military installation.
At least two vans encountered police security checkpoints and were prevented from reaching their intended destinations. British authorities recovered three suspicious vehicles and arrested their occupants early the following morning.
According to AFP, the attempted attack prompted the US military to withdraw B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford several days later.
British authorities have also charged two men with national security offenses in connection with the incident.
Prosecutors say al-Saadi continued coordinating terrorist operations even after being arrested and placed in federal custody.
Al-Saadi was arrested abroad in May and transferred to the United States, where he pleaded not guilty to earlier terrorism charges in June.
Investigators say he continued communicating with his co-conspirators through coded messages passed along by relatives in Iraq, using the word “work” to refer to terrorist operations.
When he asked whether earlier plans had been abandoned, his sister reportedly assured him that the activity “isn’t cancelled.”
During a September 24 telephone call, al-Saadi allegedly instructed relatives to provide al-Hassani with money to support the planned attack on the British air base.
Attorney General Todd Blanche pledged to prosecute those responsible.
“Anyone who plans a terrorist plot on a military base housing American servicemembers will be prosecuted by the United States government,” Blanche said.
Manhattan US Attorney Jamie McDonald described the allegations as part of a coordinated terrorist campaign targeting Jews and American personnel, while FBI Director Kash Patel warned that Iranian-backed organizations were attempting attacks far beyond the Middle East.
The three defendants face charges including conspiracy to provide material support to designated terrorist organizations, financing terrorism and conspiracy to bomb a place of public use. Several charges carry potential life sentences.
Al-Saadi remains in federal custody, while Mohajeri and al-Hassani remain at large.
Iran has denied involvement in the attempted attack on the British military base.
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