Iranian operative, jailed in US, accused of plotting attack on UK air base

The new indictment details how al-Saadi, while in custody, allegedly devised a plan and communicated instructions through coded messages to his family. These messages were intended for two co-conspirators tasked with acquiring chemicals suitable for use in explosives at RAF Fairford in September.

Al-Saadi is reportedly linked to Kata’ib Hezbollah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and the alleged plot was motivated by retaliation for the US military presence in Iran.

Previously, al-Saadi faced charges related to 18 alleged terrorist attacks in Europe and a planned synagogue bombing in New York, according to the southern district of New York.

The indictment states that al-Saadi transmitted his plans using coded messages to Mohsen Mohajeri, an operative of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Mohammad Ali al-Hassani. Al-Hassani then allegedly directed others to conduct surveillance of RAF Fairford and to secure vehicles and fuel, as well as research the acquisition of chemical accelerants and shrapnel.

On September 27th, five men from London were arrested in Whelford, near RAF Fairford, on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offenses. The arrests followed a report from a farmer who found vans obstructing a road while returning from a party.

RAF Fairford serves as a European hub for US air force bombers and was utilized during the US bombing campaign against Iran. In July, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps publicly identified RAF Fairford as a potential target should the US attack Iran.

“As alleged, these defendants helped orchestrate a campaign of terror on behalf of terrorist organizations affiliated with Iran that targeted Jewish communities in Europe and the United States, and the British military base, RAF Fairford, housing American service members,” stated US Attorney Jamie McDonald. “Even after one of their co-conspirators was arrested and placed in federal custody, the defendants allegedly continued coordinating terrorist activity through coded communications and a network of associates overseas.”

“The threat presented by Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups to America and our allies is not hypothetical – it is very real,” McDonald added.