The US Justice Department on Tuesday announced charges against three men it described as “Iranian operatives,” including one already in jail, over their role in an alleged terrorist plot at Britain’s RAF Fairford airbase .
Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, Mohsen Mohajeri and Mohammad Ali al-Hassani allegedly helped plan and direct the September incident at the base, which has been used by the US military in its operations against Iran. Al-Saadi has been in US custody since May. The latest indictment adds his apparent role in the RAF Fairford incident, as well as the alleged involvement of Al-Hassani and Mohajeri. Prosecutors did not disclose their whereabouts. Al-Saadi is additionally charged with attempted acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries, and attempted destruction of property by means of fire or explosive. UK police last month charged two British men with national security offenses related to the RAF Fairford incident.
Days after the incident, the United States withdrew all its B-1 bombers from the base.
Police were called to the Fairford site in southwest England after a local farmer reported seeing a group of men with several white vans engaged in “suspicious” activity. “Anyone who plans a terrorist plot on a military base housing American servicemembers will be prosecuted by the United States government,” Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement Tuesday.
