Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, 32, an Iraqi national and commander in the Iran-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah, has been charged by US federal prosecutors with six terrorism-related counts for allegedly orchestrating plots to attack Jewish institutions across multiple cities, according to a criminal complaint unsealed in Manhattan federal court.
Al-Saadi was taken into custody in Turkey before being handed over to the FBI and transported to the United States. He appeared before a judge in Manhattan and has been detained pending trial.
The charges include conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, conspiracy to provide material support for acts of terrorism, and conspiracy to bomb a place of public use.
Prosecutors allege al-Saadi directed others to attack US and Israeli interests "in retaliation for the Iran war" and to advance the goals of Kataib Hezbollah and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The criminal complaint states he has been involved in planning, executing, or promoting approximately 18 reported terror attacks targeting US and Israeli facilities across Europe since March 9.
The alleged plot included targets in New York City, Los Angeles, California, and Scottsdale, Arizona. According to officials, al-Saadi tried to recruit an undercover agent—whom he believed was a Mexican cartel member—to carry out an attack on a prominent US synagogue, providing the operative with photographs and maps of the target.
On April 1, prosecutors say al-Saadi was recorded discussing how much it would cost to hire someone "to carry out a bombing operation" in the United States. "I mean, we provide him with a Jewish temple, a Jewish centre," he allegedly said.
He also provided photos and maps of Jewish centers in Los Angeles and Scottsdale, asking whether it was possible to "set the three locations on fire at the same time," according to court documents.
Prior to his alleged involvement in US-directed plots, al-Saadi is accused of orchestrating attacks on a synagogue in Liège, Belgium using explosives; an arson attack at a synagogue in Rotterdam, Netherlands; and bombings targeting a Jewish school in Amsterdam and the Bank of New York Mellon. Additional incidents allegedly occurred in London, Antwerp, Paris, and Munich.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican lawmakers praised the DOJ's action as a necessary response to Iranian-sponsored terrorism. House Judiciary Committee Republicans issued a statement saying, "This arrest sends a clear message: those who target Americans or our allies will face American justice, regardless of where they operate."
National security hawks have called for additional sanctions on Kataib Hezbollah and its financial networks. Several Republican senators have pushed legislation to expand the Treasury Department's ability to designate Iranian-affiliated entities.
"Al-Saadi represents exactly why we must maintain maximum pressure on Tehran," said one Republican senator who sits on the Foreign Relations Committee. "Iran's terrorist proxies cannot be allowed to operate with impunity."
Conservative commentators have emphasized al-Saadi's alleged connection to Qasem Soleimani, the IRGC commander killed in a 2020 US airstrike. The criminal complaint states al-Saadi called for attacks on Americans in retribution for that strike.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive lawmakers and civil liberties advocates have largely supported aggressive prosecution of terrorism suspects while raising concerns about the legal process. Senate Intelligence Committee members noted that Kataib Hezbollah has been a designated terrorist organization since 2009 and that attacks on American soil warrant serious federal response.
Jewish advocacy organizations welcomed the arrest. The Anti-Defamation League released a statement saying, "This case demonstrates the ongoing threat of Iran-backed terrorism targeting Jewish communities worldwide." Groups including AIPAC have called for continued vigilance at synagogues and community centers.
"The justice system must fully prosecute those who plot violence against Americans and Jews," said one Democratic congressman who spoke on background. "We support law enforcement's efforts while ensuring due process rights are protected."
What the Numbers Show
Kataib Hezbollah has been designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the State Department since March 2009, making it illegal to provide material support to the group under US law.
The DOJ's criminal complaint alleges al-Saadi was involved in approximately 18 terror attacks or plots across Europe and North America since March 9. The charges carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment for some counts.
According to court documents, al-Saadi allegedly coordinated with operatives in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France, England, Canada, Turkey, and Iraq. Three separate countries—Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany—reported attacks or arson incidents at Jewish institutions during March 2026.
Kataib Hezbollah has been implicated in hundreds of attacks against US military personnel in Iraq since 2003, according to Pentagon estimates cited in prior congressional testimony.
The Bottom Line
Al-Saadi's case highlights the ongoing threat from Iran-backed militant groups and their ability to coordinate attacks across multiple continents. His attorney disputes the charges, characterizing the prosecution as politically motivated and arguing his client should be classified as a prisoner of war.
The trial is expected to focus on evidence gathered by US intelligence agencies and recordings made during undercover operations. Defense lawyers have indicated they will challenge both the legality of al-Saadi's arrest in Turkey and the admissibility of statements allegedly obtained while he was in custody.
The case comes as federal authorities have heightened security at Jewish institutions nationwide. The DOJ has stated it will continue to prioritize cases involving threats to American and Israeli interests abroad.