A member of an Iran-backed militia allegedly plotted to attack RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire while he was in a US jail, the US Justice Department said on Tuesday 10 November.
What Happened
Prosecutors say Iraqi national Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi tried to pass coded messages to two other alleged Iran-backed operatives. He did this through phone calls to family members from a jail in New York.
Al-Saadi has pleaded not guilty to eight criminal counts, including conspiracy to provide material support to Kata’ib Hezbollah, a militia the US regards as a terrorist organisation. His lawyer had not responded to a request for comment.
The Fairford Link
The allegation ties a US prosecution directly to the RAF Fairford base, which the US Air Force uses and which bombers flew from during the conflict with Iran. It adds a US dimension to a UK investigation that has so far centred on men arrested in Britain.
Iran has denied any role in the suspected plot.
Background
Police were called to RAF Fairford early on Sunday 27 September after three suspicious vehicles were reported heading towards the base. Five UK nationals aged 23 to 25 and from London were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and later on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. All five were released on bail while inquiries continued.
A sixth man, a 25-year-old UK-Iranian national, was arrested in London and was also released on bail. Police said a quantity of petrol was found in the vans, but no explosive devices.
In October, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said a suspected plot targeting the base was highly likely to have been coordinated in Iran. Two men have since been charged under the National Security Act 2023 over an alleged plot to assist Iran’s intelligence service. The US removed its bombers from Fairford in early October.
What Happens Next
The US case against Al-Saadi will continue in New York. In Britain, counter terrorism police say the investigation is ongoing and that they are considering every possible angle, including the use of proxies by a hostile state.
The two men charged in the UK are due at the Old Bailey on 20 November. Cheltenham Times will report any change to the charges or the court timetable.
This is a developing story, and we will update it as more details are confirmed.
