Iraqi national arrested in Turkey charged with plotting attacks on U.S. targets

An Iraqi national arrested in Turkey last week faces U.S. federal charges for planning attacks on American and Jewish targets, according to court documents. Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, 32, was taken into custody on May 15 while traveling to Russia. He was extradited to the United States and is now held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.

Charges and alleged activities The Department of Justice indictment lists 18 attacks and attempted attacks across Europe and the United States. Prosecutors say Al-Saadi participated in the firebombing of the Bank of New York Mellon in Amsterdam in March, the stabbing of two people in London in April, and a shooting at the U.S. consulate in Toronto in March.

Court papers also allege he planned the bombing of a synagogue in Liège, Belgium, and the arson of a temple in Rotterdam. The indictment states he used social media to send threats, including photographs of a silenced pistol, to potential victims.

Alleged ties to Iranian networks Federal prosecutors describe Al-Saadi as an operative linked to Kata’ib Hizballah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Court documents include photographs of him meeting with Qasem Soleimani at what appears to be a military facility.

Al-Saadi held an Iraqi service passport, which allowed him to travel with reduced security screening, according to statements reported by The New York Post. He is accused of using a religious-travel business as cover for moving between terror cells.

Social media activity Despite his alleged role, Al-Saadi maintained active accounts on X and Snapchat. Posts showed him at tourist sites and posing with weapons. ” The White House did not respond to requests for comment on the case. A lawyer for Al-Saadi also did not respond.