US DOJ Charges Three Iran-Backed Operatives in 18 Attacks, Including RAF Fairford Incident

Based on reporting by BBC UK:

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced charges against three Iran-backed operatives, alleging their involvement in a series of plots within the United States and Europe. The DOJ stated that Iranian agents recently orchestrated a terrorist plot at a UK air force base, referencing the major incident that occurred near RAF Fairford in September, where US armed forces were stationed. In recent months, the US has flown B-1 and B-52 bombers from RAF Fairford to the Middle East for 'defensive' strikes on Iran.

The DOJ accuses the three men of being involved in 18 attacks and attempted attacks, with incidents reported in London, Amsterdam, and Paris. Some of these events were reportedly directed by the men via FaceTime. The DOJ claimed these actions were carried out in the name of the group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI).

Mohsen Mohajeri, Mohammad Ali al-Hassani, and Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi were named in an indictment unsealed by the DOJ on Tuesday. The DOJ asserted that Mohammad Ali al-Hassani orchestrated a terrorist plot at RAF Fairford, which led to a major incident declaration on September 27 after suspicious vans were observed near the base.

According to the indictment, Mohajeri and al-Hassani were allegedly in Iran when the incident took place, while al-Saadi was coordinating with them from a prison in New York. US court records indicate that al-Saadi is scheduled to appear in court on November 19, though it is unclear if this appearance relates to the new charges or prior ones. Two sources informed the BBC's US partner CBS News that Mohajeri and al-Hassani are not currently in custody.

In its statement detailing the indictments, the DOJ noted that of the 18 terrorist attacks in Europe for which HAYI claimed responsibility in the spring of 2026, seven occurred in the UK. These attacks reportedly involved arsons, explosives, and one near-fatal stabbing of two Jewish men, one of whom was a dual US-British citizen, in London.

The indictment further details an arson attack on a Jewish charity in London on April 17, which allegedly involved al-Hassani directing an individual over FaceTime. The following day, on April 18, al-Hassani reportedly participated in another video call with someone carrying out an attack on a synagogue in London.

The indictment also claims the trio was involved in attacks on the Bank of New York Mellon building in Amsterdam on March 15 and the Bank of America building in Paris on March 28. Furthermore, the trio allegedly attempted attacks on Jewish institutions in the US, including an attempt to target a synagogue in Manhattan, New York, during March or April.

FBI Director Kash Patel stated that this eight-count indictment demonstrates Iran's resolve to conduct terrorist attacks in the US and Europe. Patel added that one of the accused allegedly sent coded messages from detention to aid future acts of violence, and that the accused were involved in nearly 20 attempted attacks supporting Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iran-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah.

Regarding RAF Fairford, a major incident was declared on September 27 near the base in the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, after three suspicious vans were seen near the airbase. Although no explosive materials were found in the vans, a quantity of petrol was seized. The DOJ alleged that in August, al-Hassani directed and paid associates in the UK to conduct preparatory steps and arrange logistics for the RAF Fairford plot. Specifically, on August 22, al-Hassani paid one person to conduct pre-operational surveillance of RAF Fairford's perimeter. In September, the DOJ alleged al-Hassani paid several people to assist with the plot, which included procuring vans and barrels of fuel, researching chemical accelerants like large amounts of potassium chloride, and buying metallic objects that could serve as explosive shrapnel. The suspects reportedly made the vans appear to be associated with a fuel delivery business and a swimming pool supply business. The DOJ stated that on September 26, al-Hassani allegedly instructed individuals to drive three vans, some containing barrels of fuel, to the RAF Fairford base, and he maintained frequent communication with the van drivers to direct their movements. At least two of the three vans encountered a security roadblock while en route to the RAF Fairford perimeter and were prevented from continuing on their intended path. The vans were spotted by a local farmer heading home from a party in the early hours of September 27, leading to a police call. The Iranian embassy in London has stated that it categorically rejects and strongly condemns what it called unfounded and malicious speculations linking Iran to the incident.