Federal prosecutors have charged Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi with coordinating a series of terrorist attacks in Europe and Canada aimed at U.S. and Israeli interests, including a stabbing incident involving a Jewish-American citizen. The actions allegedly sought to retaliate against and disrupt the conflict involving Iran.
Al-Saadi reportedly masterminded attacks ranging from firebombing a Bank of New York Mellon branch in Amsterdam to attempting to detonate explosives at a Bank of America building in Paris. He also coordinated assaults on Jewish institutions in the United States and stabbed two people in London. Authorities apprehended him in Turkey before transferring him to U.S. custody for a federal court appearance in Manhattan.
The complaint details al-Saadi’s high-ranking role within the Kata’ib Hizballah militia and his connections with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hezbollah. Since the onset of the conflict related to Iran, he allegedly encouraged and directed violent attacks against Americans and Jewish communities as retaliation, furthering terrorist objectives aligned with Kata’ib Hizballah and the IRGC.
Federal prosecutors revealed that al-Saadi communicated with an FBI undercover agent, attempting to plan attacks in California, Arizona, and a synagogue in Manhattan. He reportedly offered $3,000 to carry out an assault, unaware the recipient was a law enforcement officer. At least 18 attacks in Europe and two in Canada have been linked to al-Saadi and his network operating under the name Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya, affiliated with Kata’ib Hizballah.
Authorities expect further indictments against associates connected to al-Saadi, with one individual to be extradited to the United States. During his first court appearance, al-Saadi identified himself as a political prisoner and prisoner of war, emphasizing his ties to the late Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, killed in a U.S. strike.
The case highlights international concerns over terrorist threats tied to Iran’s regime and its proxy militias, which the U.S. designates as foreign terrorist organizations. Al-Saadi remains detained, with his next court date scheduled later this month.