US charges three Iranian operatives over RAF Fairford plot

Indictment details the suspects

Prosecutors charged Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, Mohsen Mohajeri and Mohammad Ali al-Hassani on Tuesday. Al-Saadi is a dual Iranian and Iraqi national already jailed in New York. The other two men are described as operatives for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. They allegedly helped plan the incident at the base used for operations against Iran.

Plotters coordinated from custody

While incarcerated, Al-Saadi sent coded messages via phone calls to relatives containing his plans. He directed co-conspirators to buy chemicals that could be used as explosives. Mohsen Mohajeri tasked others with surveilling the base and procuring vans carrying fuel barrels. Al-Hassani paid a group to disguise vehicles as fuel delivery services and buy metallic shrapnel.

Police response and aftermath

Five men from London were arrested in Whelford on 27 September after a farmer reported suspicious activity. Police responded to the site in southwest England following the report of white vans blocking a road. The US withdrew all B-1 bombers from the base days after the incident occurred. Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that anyone planning such plots will be prosecuted by the government.