An Iraqi national, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, has been charged with plotting a terrorist attack targeting a prominent New York synagogue, federal prosecutors announced Friday. Al-Saadi, 32, faces multiple charges including conspiracy to provide material support to Iranian-backed terrorist organizations, specifically Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Kata’ib Hizballah.
Al-Saadi appeared in a Lower Manhattan federal court and is currently held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. During his court appearance, Al-Saadi smiled but did not comment. Authorities credit an undercover operation led by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and the New York City Police Department (NYPD) for thwarting the planned attack before it occurred.
Details of the Alleged Plot
Prosecutors said Al-Saadi chose the New York synagogue as a target because it was seen as “a beacon for solidarity and support to Israel.” Though officials have not disclosed the specific synagogue, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed law enforcement continues to work closely with the Jewish community to ensure security at potential targets.
According to court documents, Al-Saadi, who is identified as a commander within Kata’ib Hizballah, has been associated with the planning and promotion of at least 20 terror attacks in Europe and North America, primarily targeting U.S. and Israeli interests in retaliation for military actions in Iran.
Surveillance and undercover recordings captured him attempting to recruit an agent to carry out an attack, providing maps and photos of the synagogue and other Jewish centers in Los Angeles and Scottsdale, Arizona. On April 1, he allegedly inquired about the cost to hire someone to execute a bombing in the U.S., discussing plans to set fire to three Jewish locations simultaneously.
The operation involved cryptocurrency negotiations, with Al-Saadi reportedly agreeing to pay $10,000 for the attacks and sending $3,000 as a down payment. He was arrested in Turkey and extradited to the U.S. for prosecution.
Statements from Officials
“These charges show American law enforcement will never let such evil go unchecked,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “This case puts into stark relief the global threats posed by the Iranian regime and its proxies like Kata’ib Hizballah.”
NYPD Commissioner Tisch emphasized the partnership between law enforcement and affected communities, stating they disrupted the plan and assured synagogue security upon elevating the threat.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned antisemitism and violent extremism, thanking law enforcement for preventing the attack. Similarly, Governor Kathy Hochul highlighted ongoing efforts to increase security amidst heightened threats.
Al-Saadi’s defense attorney argued that his client is being politically prosecuted due to his alleged association with the late IRGC leader Qasem Soleimani, asserting that he should be treated as a prisoner of war rather than a criminal suspect.
Why it matters
This case highlights the persistent threat posed by Iranian-backed terrorist organizations targeting Jewish communities in the U.S. and abroad. Law enforcement’s proactive disruption of the plot underscores efforts to safeguard religious minorities against escalating antisemitic and politically motivated violence. The charges also reflect the U.S. government’s broader focus on combating terrorism linked to foreign state actors.
Background
Kata’ib Hizballah is a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization allied with Iran’s IRGC. It has a history of attacks in the Middle East, Europe, and North America aimed at U.S. and Israeli interests. Al-Saadi reportedly met with Qasem Soleimani, the late leader of the IRGC, and used social media to promote terror attacks carried out by the group.
Sources
This article is based on reporting and publicly available information from the following source:
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