US Charges 3 Iran-Backed Men Over Plots, Including UK Base
A superseding indictment unsealed Tuesday in Manhattan charges three men with plotting attacks in Europe, the US and at RAF Fairford. Prosecutors say the men acted for an Iran-aligned network.
- 3 defendants: Mohammad al-Saadi, Mohsen Mohajeri and Mohammad Ali al-Hassani.
- 18 European attacks were already charged against al-Saadi before this indictment.
- Prosecutors say al-Saadi sent coded messages through jail calls to relatives.
- 3 vans were allegedly driven toward the base on Sept. 26.
Why it matters: RAF Fairford, about 100 miles west of London, has hosted US bombers for decades. After the September arrests, the US returned its bombers to bases at home.
- Prosecutors name the Revolutionary Guard Corps and Kata'ib Hizballah, both US-designated terrorist groups.
- Iran denied involvement; British authorities linked the incident to Tehran.
How 20 sources split on this story
Where they split: Outlets report different details: CNN and the New York Post say British police arrested seven men, while The Independent counts six, and CNN calls al-Hassani Iranian where AP-sourced reports call him Iraqi.
Center coverage, 10 sources: The center presents the case as a straightforward set of federal charges covering several Iran-linked plots.
Left coverage, 3 sources: The left focuses on a proxy-group commander allegedly running the plot from a New York jail and on the attacks aimed at Jewish communities.
Right coverage, 7 sources: The right emphasizes Iran-backed operatives targeting a base that hosts US aircraft and service members.
What’s next: Al-Saadi pleaded not guilty in June to the earlier charges and remains held without bail. His lawyers did not immediately comment on the new indictment.
- Mohajeri and al-Hassani are charged but not in custody.
- Several men arrested in Britain were rearrested in late October.
- How the US might bring the two defendants based abroad into custody.
- Whether British prosecutors will charge the men arrested near the base.
- How a jailed defendant's calls allegedly went undetected while the plot advanced.
