What happened
The US Department of Justice has unsealed an indictment charging three men it describes as Iran-backed operatives with involvement in 18 attacks and attempted attacks in Europe and the United States.
The defendants are Mohsen Mohajeri, an Iranian national; Mohammad Ali al-Hassani, an Iraqi national; and Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, a dual Iranian-Iraqi citizen. The indictment alleges they acted in the name of Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya.
According to the Department of Justice, al-Hassani orchestrated a terrorist plot at RAF Fairford, a UK airbase used by US armed forces. A major incident was declared on 27 September after three suspicious vans were reported near the base. Police seized petrol from the vans but found no explosive materials.
The indictment alleges that al-Hassani directed and paid associates in Britain to conduct preparatory steps for the RAF Fairford plot, including surveillance of the base perimeter and procurement of vans, fuel barrels, and materials that could be used as explosive shrapnel. It also alleges he communicated frequently with van drivers and helped direct them toward the base.
Seven men have been arrested in the UK in connection with the RAF Fairford incident. The US withdrew all its bombers from the base after the incident.
The indictment further alleges the three men were involved in attacks in London, Amsterdam, and Paris, including arson attacks on a Jewish charity and a synagogue in London, an arson attack on a bank building in Amsterdam, and an attack on a bank building in Paris. It also alleges an attempted stabbing in London of two Jewish men, one of whom was a dual US-British citizen.
Al-Saadi is currently in prison in New York awaiting trial on previous charges. Mohajeri and al-Hassani are not in custody, according to sources cited by the BBC.
Iran has strongly denied involvement, with its embassy in London describing the allegations as unfounded and malicious speculation.
