The Aporia · 3 Iran-backed operatives indicted for alleged role in terror plots

The Justice Department has indicted Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi for plotting a terrorist attack at RAF Fairford in the UK with two other operatives, one from Iran and one from Iraq. Al-Saadi is accused of coordinating an attack using fuel-filled vans disguised as delivery vehicles, but the plan was foiled when law enforcement intercepted the vehicles before reaching the base. The indictment also details earlier alleged attacks by Al-Saadi against U.S. and Israeli interests in Europe and Canada.

Written by AI on 2026-11-11, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

Story summary

On November 10, 2026, U.S. authorities charged Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, Mohsen Mohajeri, and Mohammad Ali al-Hassani with terrorism-related offenses for plotting nearly 20 attacks targeting Jewish communities in Europe and the United States, as well as an attack on RAF Fairford, a British Royal Air Force base housing U.S. military aircraft and personnel. The charges were laid out in an eight-count superseding indictment unsealed in Manhattan federal court by U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald. Al-Saadi, who is already in U.S. custody after being arrested earlier this year, allegedly continued to coordinate with his co-defendants days before the planned September attack on RAF Fairford.

The suspects are accused of ties to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Kata'ib Hizballah. According to prosecutors, Al-Hassani directed associates in the UK to conduct surveillance of RAF Fairford in August, paying one individual to record video footage of the base’s perimeter. The group also obtained three vans and barrels of fuel, researched chemical accelerants, and purchased metal objects that could be used as explosive shrapnel.

Additionally, Al-Saadi, while detained in New York on previous criminal charges, attempted to pass coded messages to his co-defendants through calls with family members from jail. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham previously stated that the plot against RAF Fairford was likely coordinated by Iran.

Written for “US Charges Terror Plotting Men” on 2026-11-11, grounded in this article and the 12 other(s) covering the same event.

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No political leaning scored for article 143118 · logged 2026-11-11

US Charges Terror Plotting Men

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Federal prosecutors allege that beginning in August, Al-Saadi "directed and paid" associates in the United Kingdom to prepare for and arrange an attack at RAF Fairford, including directing an unnamed individual to conduct surveillance at the air base.

framing: assertive · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-11-11

Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi was indicted in May on federal charges of conspiracy to provide material support to Iran-backed terrorist organizations, including Iran's and Kata'ib Hizballah.

2026-11-11 · CBS News

3 Iran-backed operatives indicted for alleged role in terror plots · assertive framing

Three Iran-backed operatives have been charged with plotting a terrorist attack at a British Royal Air Force base in the United Kingdom where U.S. troops are stationed, the Justice Department announced on Tuesday. asserted

Department → back → Tuesday

Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi was indicted in May on federal charges of conspiracy to provide material support to Iran-backed terrorist organizations, including Iran's and Kata'ib Hizballah. uncertain

Saadi → indict → Iran

He is accused in an eight-count superseding indictment made public Tuesday of attempting to coordinate with two other operatives to attack the British Royal Air Force base in the U.K. in September. asserted

He → accuse → September

In Tuesday's filing, the Justice Department alleged that he had plotted the air base attack with Mohsen Mohajeri, an Iranian national, and Mohammad Ali al-Hassani, an Iraqi national, by "passing them coded messages through third parties. asserted

he → allege → parties

Mohajeri and al-Hassani are not in custody, two sources familiar with the matter told CBS News. asserted

sources → tell → News

Saadi → allege → base

Al-Saadi then allegedly later paid multiple unnamed people to organize vans and barrels of fuel, and to research chemical accelerants and buy metal to be used as shrapnel for a potential attack. uncertain

Saadi → pay → attack

The indictment alleges that three individuals would then drive the vans, filled with fuel, to RAF Fairford, where they would explode. asserted

they → allege → Fairford

Prosecutors say Al-Saadi told the individuals to mark the vans with custom decals to disguise themselves as a fuel delivery or pool supply business and directed his family members to pass messages to his co-conspirators. asserted

Saadi → say → conspirators

In one phone call with his sister from July, Al-Saadi asked his sister to pass on messages to Mohajeri about "work," referring to terrorist activity, and asked if some of their work was canceled or paused. asserted

some → ask → work

Al-Saadi's sister replied that the work "isn't cancelled." asserted

work → reply → ?

On Sept. 24, Al-Saadi allegedly asked how al-Hassani was, and instructed his family to "give him money so we can do it," referring to the RAF Fairford attack. uncertain

we → ask → attack

The indictment then alleges that al-Hassani directed three individuals to drive the vans on Sept. 26 to RAF Fairford. asserted

Hassani → allege → Fairford

Two of the vans encountered security checkpoints and were not able to proceed on their intended route to the base, the indictment alleges. asserted

indictment → encounter → base

Federal prosecutors said that law enforcement authorities in the United Kingdom recovered three vans with fuel delivery business decals on them and arrested the drivers. asserted

authorities → say → drivers

Prosecutors previously alleged that Al-Saadi had plotted to carry out terror attacks in the U.S., including at a prominent Jewish institution in New York. asserted

Saadi → allege → York

They also accused him of being "involved in the planning, execution and promotion" of approximately in Europe and two in Canada against since March, in retaliation against the U.S. and Israel's military actions in Iran. asserted

They → accuse → Iran

In a statement, Attorney General Todd Blanche said "anyone who plans a terrorist plot on a military base housing American servicemembers will be prosecuted by the United States government." asserted

who → say → government

3 Iran-backed operatives indicted for alleged role in terror plots

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