US charges three men over RAF Fairford terror plot

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 21:56 · Archive

Three men have been charged in the US with masterminding Iran-backed terrorist plots in Europe, including an attack on RAF Fairford.

Three men have been charged in the US with masterminding 18 Iran-backed terrorist plots in Europe, according to an eight-count indictment unsealed on Tuesday. Seven of the attacks targeted the UK, the highest of any country, and the group is also accused of attempting to bomb a synagogue in New York.

Mohammed Ali al-Hassani, 35, a dual Iranian-Iraqi national, is alleged to have directed and paid associates in the United Kingdom to conduct preparatory steps and arrange logistics for a plot against RAF Fairford from Iran. He was a UK citizen until his status was revoked last month after he fled to the Middle East weeks after the US went to war with Iran in February. The Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood reportedly wrote to al-Hassani to inform him the decision was taken on national security grounds.

Al-Hassani and Iranian national Mohsen Mohajeri, 48, are accused of using 'a network of contacts in the United Kingdom' to orchestrate the Fairford plot. Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, 32, who was already imprisoned in the US, is accused of smuggling coded messages to the pair during phone calls to his family members. All three are alleged to have worked for the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Iran-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah.

How it is being reported

• Man charged in US for RAF Fairford plot 'was dual-British national who was stripped of his citizenship last month after he fled to Middle East'Mohammed Ali al-Hassani, 35, a dual Iranian Iraqi national, is one of three men charged in the US with masterminding 18 Iran-backed terrorist plots in Europe.Daily Mail · 14 Nov, 16:52
• RAF Fairford ‘mastermind’ was stripped of UK citizenship last monthMohammed Ali al-Hassani, one of three men charged in the US, was reportedly a UK citizen until his status was revoked last monthEvening Standard · 14 Nov, 14:36

In this story: Mohammed Ali al-Hassani · Mohsen Mohajeri · Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi · RAF Fairford · Iran · Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps · Kataib Hezbollah · Shabana Mahmood

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log