The US has charged three Iranian agents with allegedly plotting to attack RAF Fairford, a British air base used by US forces. The defendants, identified as Mohammad Al-Saddi, Mohsen Hajjaghari, and Mohammad Hasani, were charged in a federal court in Manhattan. According to the indictment, the trio was involved in a plot to target the air base on September 27, which led to the withdrawal of US bombers and personnel from the base.
The alleged plot was part of a larger campaign of terror that included nearly 20 attacks on Jewish communities in Europe and the US. US Attorney General Jamie McDonald stated that Al-Saddi, who was arrested in the spring, continued to coordinate with the other defendants in the days leading up to the attempted attack. Al-Saddi, an Iranian-Iraqi dual citizen, was allegedly a member of an Iran-backed armed group.
The US Department of Justice said that Al-Saddi attempted to send encrypted messages to his co-conspirators while in prison in New York. He had previously pleaded not guilty to eight criminal charges, including conspiracy to provide material support to Kata'ib Hezbollah, an Iraqi armed group backed by Iran. The US has designated Kata'ib Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.
The alleged plot to attack RAF Fairford was likely coordinated within Iran, according to British Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Iran has denied any involvement in the plot. The US charges were announced on Tuesday, following a lengthy investigation into the alleged conspiracy.
The defendants face charges of conspiracy to commit a terrorist act and conspiracy to provide material support to a terrorist organization. If convicted, they could face significant prison sentences. The US authorities have not disclosed any information about potential links between the defendants and other individuals or organizations.
The RAF Fairford air base has been used by US forces for several years, and has played a significant role in US military operations in the Middle East. The base's location in Gloucestershire, England, makes it a strategic hub for US military activities in Europe and the Middle East.
The US charges against the three Iranian agents highlight the ongoing threat posed by Iran-backed terrorist groups. The US and its allies have been working to disrupt and dismantle these networks, and the charges demonstrate the US commitment to countering terrorism and protecting national security.
Key points
- The US has charged three Iranian agents with plotting to attack RAF Fairford, a British air base used by US forces.
- The alleged plot was part of a larger campaign of terror that included nearly 20 attacks on Jewish communities in Europe and the US.
- The defendants face charges of conspiracy to commit a terrorist act and conspiracy to provide material support to a terrorist organization.
