US Terror Case Links Iran-Backed Handler to RAF Fairford Incident

A new indictment from the US Department of Justice has provided critical details regarding the September incident at RAF Fairford, linking the event to an Iran-backed operative. Investigators previously hoped that the May arrest of Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi would halt a series of arson and terror attacks directed against American and Jewish targets in the UK. However, court documents reveal that al-Saadi, while detained in a New York jail, continued to communicate with two associates in Iran, including a man identified as Mohammed Ali al-Hassani.

Al-Saadi, who faces charges related to the terror group Hayi and the Iraqi organization Kata’ib Hezbollah, was recorded by the FBI passing coded instructions to his contacts. According to the indictment, al-Saadi directed his associates to secure funding for operations. Investigators believe al-Hassani, a 35-year-old Iraqi who previously resided in Britain, was responsible for coordinating the activity that occurred near the RAF Fairford air base. UK officials, including Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, have previously stated it is highly likely the IRGC directed the incident.

The scope of the Hayi campaign

The indictment details how al-Hassani and another associate, Mohsen Mohajeri, conducted a campaign of arson and intimidation across London in March and April. Evidence, including video footage, shows the trio directing an attacker in real-time to target a building linked to the Jewish Futures charity in Hendon. During a FaceTime call, al-Hassani was seen instructing the perpetrator on how to ignite and throw incendiary devices. While two British nationals are currently awaiting trial in the UK for their alleged involvement in assisting Iranian intelligence, al-Hassani and Mohajeri remain at liberty.

A US indictment links an Iran-backed handler to the September incident at RAF Fairford and London arson attacks.

Why it matters

The revelations highlight that despite the detention of key figures like al-Saadi, individuals linked to the IRGC continue to orchestrate sabotage and terror plots within the UK. This ongoing activity underscores the UK's position as a psychological arena in a broader, simmering international conflict. For the public, the case demonstrates the persistent nature of these threats, as security services work to identify and prosecute those directing operations from abroad.