Washington, DC – In a legal move reflecting the United States’ continued pursuit of individuals involved in terrorist activities against its targets, the US Department of Justice announced on Thursday the filing of a formal indictment against dual Iraqi-Iranian citizen Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi.
Al-Saadi faces eight criminal terrorism charges related to his alleged involvement in approximately 20 attacks and attempted attacks targeting civilians in the United States and Europe.
“Agent” in the Revolutionary Guard network
The indictment asserts that al-Saadi was working as an agent for Kataib Hezbollah and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, both of which are designated as foreign terrorist organizations by Washington. Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanch emphasized that his department would prosecute al-Saadi “vigorously” and “in accordance with U.S. law,” reaffirming the United States’ commitment to pursuing those who threaten its security.
For his part, Jay Clayton, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, explained that the defendant collaborated with Tehran-backed organizations to carry out deadly operations, noting that al-Saadi was part of the “Resistance Front” alliance, which aims to “destroy American society and its collective values of freedom.” Clayton added, “The Revolutionary Guard’s claims are not mere slogans; they are taking practical steps around the world to undermine America.”
From “threats” to the dock
The US Department of Justice had previously announced the start of the trial of al-Saadi, a prominent member of Kataib Hezbollah. Investigation records reveal close ties between al-Saadi and the late Quds Force commander, Qassem Soleimani, with photos of the two together appearing on the defendant’s social media accounts. Following the killing of Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, al-Saadi posted explicit threats calling for retaliatory attacks against Americans.
Press reports, including one by the New York Post citing informed sources, indicate that al-Saadi was involved in a plot to target Ivanka Trump, the daughter of US President Donald Trump, in an attempt to avenge the assassination of Soleimani.
Handover and arrest
According to al-Saadi’s defense team, he was recently arrested in Turkey and subsequently extradited to the United States to stand trial in federal court. This trial represents a new chapter in the ongoing legal and security confrontations between Washington and agents linked to the Iranian military establishment. Through these actions, the US administration is demonstrating that its “maximum pressure” policy extends beyond economic measures to include the pursuit of individuals involved in planning attacks on Western and American soil.
