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US charges three Iran-backed operatives over RAF Fairford plot
The Department of Justice alleges Iranian agents orchestrated a terrorist plot at a UK air base in September, involving suspicious vans and fuel.
In brief
The Department of Justice alleges Iranian agents orchestrated a terrorist plot at a UK air base in September, involving suspicious vans and fuel. The US Department of Justice charged three Iran-backed operatives with plotting attacks in Europe and the US, including a September incident at RAF Fairford in the UK…
Three charged in RAF Fairford plot
The US Department of Justice charged Iranian Mohsen Mohajeri, Iraqi national Mohammad Ali al-Hassani and dual Iranian-Iraqi citizen Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi on Tuesday with planning terrorist attacks.
RAF Fairford incident in September
A major incident was declared on twenty-seventh September near RAF Fairford in the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire after three suspicious vans were seen near the airbase. No explosive materials were found but petrol was seized.
Vans spotted by local farmer
In the very early hours of twenty-seventh September, three vans were spotted by a local farmer heading home from a party, who called the police.
Plot preparation in August
In August, al-Hassani allegedly directed and paid associates in the UK to conduct preparatory steps for the RAF Fairford plot. On twenty-second August, he paid one individual to perform pre-operational surveillance of RAF Fairford's perimeter.
Vans disguised as delivery vehicles
The suspects procured vans and barrels of fuel, researched chemical accelerants including potassium chloride, and purchased metallic objects for explosive shrapnel. They disguised the vans as a fuel delivery business and swimming pool supply business.
Broader attack campaign in Europe
The three are accused of planning attacks under the pseudonym Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya. Of eighteen terrorist attacks in spring twenty twenty-six for which HAYI claimed responsibility in Europe, seven took place in the UK.
Attacks included stabbing in London
The attacks involved arsons, explosives and in one instance a near-fatal stabbing in London of two Jewish men, including a dual US-British citizen. Two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green, north London, in April.
US withdraws bombers from base
The US withdrew all its bombers from RAF Fairford after the incident.President Donald Trump cited some threats to the base as the reason.RAF Fairford has been used by the US Air Force for decades.
At a glance
The US Department of Justice charged three Iran-backed operatives with plotting attacks in Europe and the US, including a September incident at RAF Fairford in the UK.