Federal prosecutors in New York have charged three men with terrorism offenses over what they describe as an Iran-backed campaign of 18 attacks and attempted attacks in Europe, including a September plot at RAF Fairford, a British base that hosted U.S. bombers.[1][2] The indictment was unsealed on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026. Iran has strongly denied any involvement.[1]
Related: U.S. Moved Refueling Tankers From RAF Mildenhall After Reported Iran Threat.
What prosecutors allege
The men are an Iranian, an Iraqi and a dual Iranian-Iraqi citizen.[2] Prosecutors allege they acted for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Iraqi militia Kata’ib Hezbollah. Both are designated by the United States as terrorist organizations.
The attacks were claimed by a group calling itself Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya, which prosecutors call a front for Kata’ib Hezbollah.[2] Seven of the 18 took place in the U.K., the Justice Department said, including arsons and a near-fatal stabbing of two Jewish men in London.[1]
Prosecutors allege some attacks were directed live over FaceTime.[2] The men “helped orchestrate a campaign of terror,” said Jamie McDonald, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York.
The charges are allegations. The men have not been convicted.
The Fairford plot
According to the indictment, associates in Britain were paid starting in August to film the base’s perimeter and obtained vans, fuel drums and metal items that could serve as shrapnel.[2] On Sept. 26, three vans headed toward the base. British authorities seized all three early the next morning and arrested those inside.
A major incident was declared on Sept. 27, and seven men have been arrested in the U.K., the BBC reported.[1] The U.S. removed its bombers from the base last month.
Where the suspects are
One man is in a New York jail awaiting trial on earlier charges, and prosecutors say he kept directing the network from his cell.[2] The other two are not in custody, two sources told CBS News, the BBC reported.[1]
More coverage is in our Europe section and Middle East section.
Sources
- BBC News: Three Iran-backed suspects plotted attacks including RAF Fairford incident, US says
- NPR: Iran-backed trio accused of plotting attacks on U.K. base hosting U.S. jets
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