The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has unsealed an indictment charging three men—Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, Mohsen Mohajeri, and Mohammad Ali al-Hassani—with orchestrating a series of attacks, including a planned assault on RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom. The charges, detailed in an eight-count superseding indictment, allege the trio plotted nearly 20 attacks targeting Jewish communities in Europe and the US, as well as the British military base where US troops and bombers were stationed.
Only al-Saadi, a dual Iranian-Iraqi national, is currently in US custody, awaiting trial on separate terrorism charges. The other two suspects, Mohajeri (an Iranian national) and al-Hassani (an Iraqi national), remain at large. US authorities allege that al-Saadi coordinated the plot from prison in New York, using coded messages relayed through family members to his co-defendants.
Core Allegations and Timeline
The indictment outlines a multi-stage plot involving surveillance, procurement of materials, and logistical preparation for an attack on RAF Fairford in September 2026. According to prosecutors, al-Hassani directed associates in the UK to conduct surveillance of the base in August 2026, including recording video of its perimeter. The suspects allegedly obtained three vans and barrels of fuel, researched chemical accelerants, and purchased metal objects intended for use as shrapnel. The vans were reportedly disguised with decals to resemble commercial vehicles for fuel delivery or pool supply businesses.
On September 26, 2026, al-Hassani allegedly directed associates to drive the vans toward RAF Fairford. Two of the vehicles encountered a security roadblock and were unable to proceed. British authorities recovered all three vans the following morning and arrested their occupants. Seven men were initially detained in the UK in connection with the incident, though not all have been charged by US authorities.
Alleged Coordination from Prison
Prosecutors claim al-Saadi, while incarcerated in New York, continued to direct the plot by sending coded messages to Mohajeri and al-Hassani through family members. In one instance, al-Saadi allegedly used a phone call with his sister to relay instructions, referring to the activity as "work." His legal team has contested these claims, arguing that the prosecution’s interpretation of the calls is speculative and based on questionable translations from Arabic. They contend there are banal explanations for the conversations flagged by authorities.
The indictment also ties the suspects to a purportedly new group, Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI), which claimed responsibility for 18 attacks in Europe during spring 2026. Of these, seven occurred in the UK, including an incident in April 2026 where two Jewish men, including a dual US-British citizen, were stabbed in Golders Green, London. A suspect in that attack is due to stand trial in 2027.
Official Responses and Legal Context
US officials have framed the charges as evidence of Iran’s direct involvement in terrorist activities targeting Western interests. FBI Director Kash Patel stated, "This eight-count indictment shows the determination of Iran to commit terrorist attacks in Europe and the US." US Attorney Jamie McDonald described the defendants as having "orchestrated a campaign of terror on behalf of terrorist organizations affiliated with Iran."
Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized the gravity of targeting a military base housing US service members, stating, "Anyone who plans a terrorist plot on a military base housing American servicemembers will be prosecuted by the United States government."
The UK’s Prime Minister Andy Burnham previously commented on the incident, saying in October 2026 that the attack was "highly likely" to have been coordinated in Iran.
Defense and Counterclaims
Legal representatives for al-Saadi have pushed back against the prosecution’s narrative. In a court filing on October 14, 2026, his lawyers argued that the government’s assertions about coded messages were unsubstantiated, stating that the translations used to support the claims were unreliable. They also noted that the conversations in question could have innocent explanations.
Iran has denied any involvement in the RAF Fairford plot, though US authorities allege the operation was directed by Iranian-backed groups, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Kata’ib Hizballah, both designated as terrorist organizations by the US.
Broader Implications
The charges come amid heightened tensions between the US, its allies, and Iran, particularly regarding Iran’s support for proxy groups across the Middle East and beyond. The alleged plot at RAF Fairford—historically used by US bombers for strikes against Iranian-backed targets—has raised concerns about the vulnerability of Western military installations to asymmetric warfare.
Analysts note that the indictment reflects a broader US strategy to publicly attribute attacks to state actors, particularly Iran, as part of efforts to deter future aggression. The case also underscores the challenges of detecting and disrupting plots coordinated across international borders, especially when operatives are detained in one country while directing operations in another.
Next Steps
Al-Saadi remains in US custody, with his trial pending on the original charges of conspiracy to provide material support to a terrorist organization. The whereabouts of Mohajeri and al-Hassani are unknown, and their extradition, if pursued, would likely face significant diplomatic and legal hurdles. The UK’s ongoing investigation into the RAF Fairford incident continues, with additional suspects released on bail pending further proceedings.