US federal prosecutors have filed a new indictment alleging that an Iranian operative, while imprisoned in New York, orchestrated a plot to attack a Royal Air Force base in England. The target was RAF Fairford, a facility that houses US Air Force B-1 bombers and served as a staging ground for American strikes during the recent conflict with Iran.
The indictment names Mohammad Dawood al-Saadi, a dual national of Iran and Iraq, as the central figure in the conspiracy. According to the charges, al-Saadi began planning the assault on the British military installation in September while already in federal custody. He allegedly transmitted detailed instructions to two co-conspirators, directing them to acquire large quantities of chemicals suitable for use as explosives.
Coordinating from Behind Bars
The charges outline a complex network of individuals involved in the scheme. Al-Saadi is accused of communicating with Mohsen Mohajeri, identified as an operative of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and another Iranian national, Mohammad Ali al-Hassani. The indictment states that al-Saadi viewed the attack as retribution for the US war in Iran.
Al-Hassani, according to the document, delegated tasks to other associates. These individuals were tasked with surveilling RAF Fairford and procuring logistical support, including vans and barrels of fuel. The plan also involved researching the purchase of chemical accelerants and metallic objects intended to serve as shrapnel in the attack.
Authorities arrested five men in London on September 27 on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offenses. The arrests occurred in the village of Whelford, near the air base, after a farmer reported vans blocking a road while returning from a party. The presence of these vehicles near the secure perimeter triggered the investigation that led to the current charges.
Broader Terror Network
This indictment adds to a long list of allegations against al-Saadi. He was previously charged with links to 18 terrorist attacks across Europe and for allegedly planning to bomb a synagogue in New York. The southern district of New York stated that al-Saadi is associated with Kata’ib Hezbollah and the IRGC.
US Attorney Jamie McDonald emphasized the ongoing threat posed by Iran-backed groups. He noted that the defendants helped orchestrate a campaign of terror targeting Jewish communities in Europe and the United States, as well as the British military base housing American service members. McDonald stated that even after one co-conspirator was arrested, the group continued coordinating through coded communications.
RAF Fairford has been explicitly identified as a target by Iranian officials. In July, the IRGC issued a statement noting the base’s use by US bombers during the campaign against Iran. The group declared that any bases used by the US to attack Iran, including Fairford, were legitimate targets.
The new charges highlight the ability of imprisoned operatives to maintain command over external networks. The indictment describes a persistent effort to execute attacks despite the arrest of key figures. Prosecutors argue that the threat from Iran and its affiliated groups remains immediate and concrete, rather than hypothetical.
Al-Saadi now faces additional federal charges related to the conspiracy to attack RAF Fairford. The case underscores the international reach of the alleged terrorist network and the efforts by US authorities to dismantle operations coordinated from within the justice system.
Source: The Guardian
