Three Iran-backed suspects plotted attacks including RAF Fairford incident, US says

For context, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) has confirmed charges against three Iran-backed operatives that it alleges were involved in a string of plots in the US and Europe.

Key points

• Iranian Mohsen Mohajeri, Iraqi national Mohammad Ali al-Hassani and dual Iranian-Iraqi citizen Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi were charged in an indictment unsealed on Tuesday, the DOJ remarked.
• Patel remarked the accused were involved in almost 20 attempted attacks in backing of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iran-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah.
• "Of the 18 terrorist attacks in the spring of 2026 for which HAYI claimed responsibility in Europe, seven took place in the UK, " the DOJ statement remarked.
• "This eight-count indictment shows the determination of Iran to commit terrorist attacks in Europe and the US, " FBI Director Kash Patel remarked.
• In recent months, the US has flown B-1 and B-52 bombers from there to the Middle East for "defensive" strikes on Iran.

Meanwhile, the DOJ remarked Iranian agents most lately "orchestrated a terrorist plot at an air force base in the United Kingdom", saying they were involved in the major incident in September near RAF Fairford in the UK, where US armed forces were stationed.

One man, a dual Iranian-Iraqi national, is accused of communicating with contacts in the UK from a prison in New York where he is awaiting trial on previous charges. The other two are accused of doing the same from Iran.

Iran has strongly denied any involvement in the RAF Fairford incident. It came to light when suspicious vans were documented near the base. Seven men have been arrested in the UK over the incident.

It accuses the trio of planning attacks in Europe that were carried out under the name of a purportedly new group with the pseudonym Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (The Islamic Movement of the Individuals of the Right Hand – HAYI).

"Of the 18 terrorist attacks in the spring of 2026 for which HAYI claimed responsibility in Europe, seven took place in the UK, " the DOJ statement remarked. It continued that 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. A suspect is due to stand trial next year.

He continued that one of the three "allegedly sent coded messages to assist in future acts of violence" from detention.

After three suspicious vans were seen near the airbase, a major incident was declared on 27 September near the UK's RAF Fairford base, in the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire.

No explosive materials were discovered in the vans, but a quantity of petrol was seized.

According to The DOJ, in August, al-Hassani "allegedly directed and paid associates" in the UK to "conduct preparatory steps and arrange logistics for the RAF Fairford terrorist plot".

On 22 August, al-Hassani paid one individual to "perform pre-operational surveillance of RAF Fairford's perimeter", the department remarked.

In September, al-Hassani paid a number of residents to support him prepare for the plot, the DOJ additionally alleged.

According to its statement, this included "procuring vans and barrels of fuel, researching the purchase of chemical accelerants, including large quantities of potassium chloride, and purchasing metallic objects that could be used as explosive shrapnel".

Meanwhile, the suspects then offered the vans an appearance of being employed by a fuel delivery business and a swimming pool supply business, the DOJ stated.

"On 26 September, al-Hassani allegedly tasked individuals to drive three vans, some of which were later determined to contain barrels of fuel, to the RAF Fairford base."

Meanwhile, the DOJ additionally stated al-Hassani was "in frequent communication" with the van drivers and supported to direct them where to drive.

"At least two of the three vans, while en route to the perimeter of RAF Fairford, encountered a security roadblock and were not allowed to proceed on their intended route, " it continued.

It was in the particularly early hours of 27 September, that the vans were spotted by a local farmer who was heading home from a party, and called the police. What we know regarding RAF Fairford counter-terror probe.

Notably, the Iranian embassy in London has remarked it "categorically rejects and strongly condemns" what it called "unfounded and malicious speculations" linking Iran to the incident.

Two British nationals appeared in court last month in connection with the alleged Iran-linked plot.

For context, the US withdrew all its bombers from RAF Fairford after the incident, with President Donald Trump citing "some threats" to the base as the reason.

RAF Fairford has been applied by the US Air Force (USAF) for decades.

In July, Iran remarked "any base used for aggression against Iranian territory constitutes a legitimate target for our forces".

In short, three Iran-backed suspects plotted attacks including RAF Fairford incident, US says is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.