RAF Fairford Attack Plot: 3 Iran-Backed Suspects Charged
RAF Fairford attack plot: US charges three Iran-backed suspects over alleged terror attacks targeting a UK military base and Jewish communities.
The United States has charged three men accused of plotting nearly 20 attacks across Europe and the US, including an alleged terrorist attack targeting RAF Fairford, a British military airbase used by American forces.
US federal prosecutors have announced terrorism-related charges against three individuals suspected of working on behalf of organisations linked to Iran. The allegations include a planned attack on RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England, where American military personnel and aircraft have been stationed.
The indictment was unsealed in a Manhattan federal court on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. It identifies the three accused as Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, an Iranian-Iraqi dual national; Mohsen Mohajeri, an Iranian national; and Mohammad Ali al-Hassani, an Iraqi national.
According to US prosecutors, the suspects allegedly coordinated a series of attacks targeting Jewish communities across Europe and the United States, alongside the attempted attack on the British military installation.
Three Suspects Accused of Coordinating Terror Plots
The US Department of Justice alleges that the three men operated through a network of contacts in the United Kingdom and other European countries. Prosecutors claim their activities were connected to Iran-aligned organisations, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iraqi armed group Kata'ib Hezbollah.
Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, who was already being held in a US detention facility in New York, is accused of continuing to coordinate activities with the other suspects through coded communications.
Investigators allege that he used telephone conversations with his mother and sister to pass instructions to associates. According to the indictment, seemingly ordinary words were used as coded references to planned activities.
The other two accused individuals, Mohsen Mohajeri and Mohammad Ali al-Hassani, are alleged to have participated in organising the operations. Their current whereabouts were not immediately disclosed by US authorities.
RAF Fairford Attack Plot Involved Vans and Fuel, Prosecutors Allege
One of the most significant allegations concerns the RAF Fairford attack plot in September 2026.
According to the indictment, preparations allegedly began in August when al-Hassani paid an individual to conduct surveillance around the airbase's perimeter.
Prosecutors further allege that individuals in the United Kingdom were instructed to arrange vehicles, obtain barrels of fuel, research chemical accelerants and purchase metallic objects that could potentially be used as shrapnel.
The vehicles were reportedly fitted with customised markings designed to make them appear as commercial fuel delivery or swimming pool supply vans.
On September 26, individuals were allegedly directed to drive three vans towards RAF Fairford. At least two reportedly encountered a security roadblock and could not continue along their intended routes.
The incident came to public attention in the early hours of September 27, when suspicious vehicles were reported near the military installation. British police subsequently launched a major security operation.
Authorities recovered the vans and seized petrol. However, no explosives were found inside the vehicles.
The incident raised significant concerns about the security of military facilities hosting American personnel and aircraft in the United Kingdom.
US Authorities Link Suspects to Nearly 20 Attacks
Beyond the RAF Fairford incident, American prosecutors allege that the suspects were connected to approximately 20 attacks and attempted attacks across Europe and North America.
The indictment also refers to attacks targeting Jewish communities, synagogues, schools and Israeli-linked businesses.
According to the US Department of Justice, a group operating under the name Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI) claimed responsibility for several attacks during 2026. These incidents reportedly included arson attacks and a stabbing in London that left two Jewish men injured.
US investigators allege that the suspects helped coordinate activities in support of organisations linked to Iran. The investigation is part of wider American efforts to identify networks suspected of organising attacks against US and allied interests.
US Withdraws Bombers Following Security Concerns
The RAF Fairford incident also had consequences for American military operations in Britain.
Following the security scare, the United States withdrew its B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford. The military installation has served as an important operating location for American aircraft during international military operations.
The development highlighted growing security concerns surrounding military facilities used by US forces in Europe, particularly amid heightened tensions involving Iran. American officials have described the alleged activities as a serious threat to the security of the United States and its allies.
The new indictment provides additional details about the suspected preparations and alleged coordination behind the September incident.
Iran Denies Involvement in RAF Fairford Incident
Iran has strongly denied any involvement in the alleged plot targeting RAF Fairford.
The allegations come amid continuing tensions between Tehran and Western governments over regional security, military operations and suspected activities involving Iranian-linked organisations. British authorities have also been investigating the September incident. Several individuals were arrested in connection with the suspicious vans, while two British nationals subsequently faced charges under the UK's National Security Act.
The latest US indictment adds an international dimension to the investigation and raises further questions about alleged networks operating across national borders.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings Continue
The three suspects face terrorism-related charges in the United States. Al-Saadi remains in American custody, while the other two defendants have not been reported to be in US custody.
The allegations outlined in the indictment have not yet been established in court. The accused are entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty.
The case is expected to draw further attention as American and British authorities continue investigating the alleged activities and their connections to organisations operating across the region.
The RAF Fairford incident has also renewed discussions about military security, intelligence cooperation and the protection of strategic facilities hosting foreign military personnel.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3rryrryk59zo
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