Federal authorities announced Friday the arrest of an Iraqi national accused of directing and supporting a series of Iran-backed terrorist operations targeting Americans, Jewish communities, and U.S. interests across Europe and the United States.
According to the Department of Justice, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, 32, was taken into U.S. custody overseas and transported to New York City, where he appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn in federal court in Manhattan.
Federal prosecutors allege Al-Saadi is a senior commander within Kata’ib Hizballah, an Iran-backed militia designated by the United States as a foreign terrorist organization. Authorities also accuse him of operating in coordination with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which the United States has likewise designated as a terrorist organization.
Earlier today, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, a senior member of Kata’ib Hizballah, a U.S. designated foreign terrorist organization, was charged with six counts of terrorism-related offenses for his activities as an operative of Kata’ib Hizballah and Iran’s Islamic… pic.twitter.com/A3oDgpAswu
— FBI New York (@NewYorkFBI) May 15, 2026
The criminal complaint charges Al-Saadi with six terrorism-related offenses, including conspiracy to provide material support to foreign terrorist organizations, conspiracy to bomb places of public use, and attempting to support attacks intended to kill Americans and target Jewish institutions.
According to federal officials, investigators tied Al-Saadi to nearly 20 attacks and attempted attacks across Europe and Canada during recent months. Prosecutors allege those incidents included bombings, arson attacks, assaults, and plots aimed at American-linked businesses and Jewish sites.
Among the attacks referenced in the complaint was a March 2026 bombing targeting a branch of the Bank of New York Mellon in Amsterdam. Authorities also cited an April arson attack against a synagogue in Skopje and a stabbing attack in London that seriously injured two Jewish men, including a dual U.S.-British citizen.
Federal prosecutors further allege Al-Saadi attempted to coordinate attacks inside the United States, including plots aimed at Jewish institutions in New York City, Los Angeles, and Scottsdale.
According to the complaint, Al-Saadi allegedly communicated with an undercover law enforcement officer in April 2026 and discussed carrying out attacks against a synagogue in Manhattan. Prosecutors said he allegedly shared maps, photographs, and location information tied to Jewish institutions and discussed possible methods of attack, including explosives and arson.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the arrest reflected the federal government’s ongoing counterterrorism efforts.
“As alleged in the complaint, Al-Saadi directed and urged others to attack U.S. and Israeli interests and to kill Americans and Jews in the U.S. and abroad,” Blanche said in a statement released by the Justice Department.
Kash Patel described the arrest as part of broader operations targeting foreign terrorist organizations operating internationally and attempting to coordinate attacks against American interests.
Federal officials also alleged Al-Saadi maintained close ties to former Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani and former Kata’ib Hizballah leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, both of whom were killed in a U.S. airstrike in 2020.
According to investigators, Al-Saadi used social media accounts to spread pro-terrorist propaganda and call for attacks against Americans and Jewish communities. Prosecutors cited one alleged post calling on followers to “kill everyone who supports America and Israel.”
Authorities said the investigation was led by the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force with assistance from multiple federal, state, local, and international law enforcement agencies, including the New York Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Department of Justice’s National Security Division.
Al-Saadi remains in federal custody pending trial. If convicted on the most serious charges, he could face life in prison.
