United States Department of Justice Charges Three Men Over Iran Linked Terror Plots
The United States Department of Justice unveiled an expanded indictment on November 10 against three men accused of supporting an Iran aligned terror network. Prosecutors connect attacks on Jewish communities with a September plot against RAF Fairford, where American forces were stationed.
The eight count indictment adds Mohsen Mohajeri and Mohammed Ali al-Hassani to the case against Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, who is already in federal custody. It also describes a network that prosecutors say continued organising attacks after his arrest.
A Network Behind Attacks on Jewish Communities
The Justice Department identifies Mohajeri as an Iranian operative of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and al-Hassani as an Iraqi who used criminal contacts in Britain. Al-Saadi holds Iraqi and Iranian citizenship. Prosecutors accuse the three of supporting the Revolutionary Guards and Kata'ib Hizballah, the Iraqi terrorist organisation. Both are designated terrorist organisations by the United States.
The department links the network to nearly 20 attacks and attempted attacks in Europe and the United States. It says about 18 European attacks in spring 2026 were claimed under the name Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya, or HAYI, which prosecutors describe as a front for established Iran aligned terrorist groups.
About seven of those European attacks took place in Britain. The case includes attacks on synagogues and the stabbing of two Jewish men in London, one a dual American and British citizen.
Video Calls Connected Organisers and Attackers
Prosecutors describe recordings in which organisers followed attacks remotely and gave instructions during video calls. An April 6 meeting placed Mohajeri and al-Hassani together with a map of London visible on a computer, according to the department.
On April 17, the three defendants are accused of directing an attack while watching a live video feed. A further call the next day concerned an attack on a London synagogue. Prosecutors say footage was also produced for online propaganda, making the recording and promotion of attacks part of the operation.
The American part of the case developed through an undercover investigation. In its May announcement, the department said al-Saadi had supplied a law enforcement officer with information about Jewish institutions in New York, Los Angeles and Scottsdale, Arizona. The proposed attacks did not take place.
The Fairford Plot Reached a Security Checkpoint
The new charges extend the case into the RAF Fairford investigation. Prosecutors say al-Hassani arranged surveillance and preparations in Britain while he and Mohajeri were in Iran.
On September 26, three vans were directed toward the air base. At least two encountered a security checkpoint and could not continue along the intended route, the department said. British authorities recovered three vans and arrested their occupants early on September 27.
The base housed American military personnel and aircraft. The Justice Department credits British authorities with significant assistance in the investigation.
Prosecutors Trace Messages Sent From Custody
Al-Saadi is accused of using calls to relatives in Iraq to pass messages to the other defendants. Prosecutors say the calls included coded references to terrorist activity and a September 24 instruction to provide money to al-Hassani.
Reuters reported that al-Saadi's lawyers challenged that interpretation in an October 14 court filing, disputing the Arabic translations and saying the family conversations had ordinary explanations. Iran has denied involvement in the Fairford plot.
The network allegations add to the threats behind warnings about attacks on synagogues.
All three face charges including conspiracy to support terrorist organisations and financing terrorism. The case has been assigned to United States District Judge Colleen McMahon in New York.
