US prosecutors charge Iranian operative allegedly responsible for UK air force base attack
US federal prosecutors have charged an Iranian operative with plotting a foiled attack on RAF Fairford, a UK air force base housing American B-1 bombers.
A new indictment alleges that al-Saadi, a dual Iranian and Iraqi national, plotted the attack while in custody and transmitted plans to two co-conspirators to purchase chemicals for explosives. The target was RAF Fairford, where American B-1 bombers were stationed.
Al-Saadi was already facing charges for alleged links to 18 terrorist attacks in Europe and for planning to bomb a synagogue in New York. The indictment claims he planned the RAF Fairford attack as retribution for the US war in Iran.
Co-conspirators' Actions
According to the indictment, al-Saadi transmitted his plans to Mohsen Mohajeri, an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps operative, and Mohammad Ali al-Hassani. Al-Hassani then tasked others with surveilling RAF Fairford, procuring vehicles and fuel, and researching chemical accelerants and metallic objects for shrapnel.
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.
Arrests and Context
Five men from London were arrested near RAF Fairford on September 27 on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offenses after a farmer reported suspicious vans. The base was used by the US during its bombing campaign against Iran.
In July, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps declared any bases used by the US to attack Iran, including Fairford, as 'legitimate targets.' The US attorney emphasized that the threat from Iran-backed groups is 'very real' and continued even after al-Saadi's arrest.
Related
