Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al Saadi, a 32-year-old man, was arrested on May 1 and now faces an eight-count indictment for orchestrating terrorist activities. US prosecutors allege the defendant plotted attacks against targets in Europe and the United States, including a planned assault on a New York City synagogue.

The March and April plot against a New York City synagogue

According to the indictment, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al Saadi conspired to target a synagogue in New York City during March and April of this year. The plot reportedly escalated in late April when Saadi sought a contact within the United States who would be willing to carry out an operation involving "burning" or "killing" individuals.

The timing of the arrest on May 1 suggests that US authorities intervened just as the plot was moving toward execution. If convicted of the most severe charges, including the conspiracy to bomb a public venue, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al Saadi faces a potential life sentence in prison.

Harakat Ashab al Yamin al Islamia and the London Embassy attack

The scope of the alleged operations extends far beyond North America, with prosecutors claiming Saadi directed approximately 18 attacks across Europe. These operations were reportedly carried out through a front organization known as Harakat Ashab al Yamin al Islamia, which served as a vehicle for the defendant's strategic goals.

As reported in the court filings, investigators recovered footage showing individuals in hazmat suits operating a drone equipped with vials of white powder. this footage was allegedly used in propaganda to claim responsibility for an April attack on the Israeli Embassy in London, which prosecutors claim involved the use of radioactive and carcinogenic materials.

The "son" of Qasem Soleimani and the Kata'ib Hizballah network

The case highlights the enduring infrastructure of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its proxy networks. Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al Saadi reportedly admitted to being a leader within "the resistance," a term used by prosecutors to describe a network linking the IRGC, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and the militia Kata'ib Hizballah.

The defendant's proximity to power is underscored by his alleged relationship with the late Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani. Saadi told investigators he was "like a son" to Soleimani and frequently traveled with the general before Soleimani was killed in a 2020 U.S. airstrike. This connection suggests that Saadi was not merely a foot soldier but a trusted operative within the high-level strategic planning of Iran's external operations.

Who was the US-based contact for the "burning" and "killing" plot?

Despite the detailed indictment, a critical piece of the puzzle remains missing: the identity of the person Saadi contacted in the United States in late April. While the report confirms Saadi was seeking a local operative to execute the New York City synagogue attack, it is currently unclear if that individual was identified, arrested, or if they were a known intelligence asset.

Furthermore, the source of the "white powder" used in the London Embassy propaganda remains unverified. It is not yet clear if the materials were actual radioactive substances or merely props used for psychological warfare to amplify the perceived capabilities of Harakat Ashab al Yamin al Islamia.