A commander of the Iran-backed militia group Kataib Hezbollah has been brought to the United States to face terrorism charges over a plot targeting Americans and Jewish sites, according to the Department of Justice.
Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, 32, appeared in federal court in Manhattan after being captured overseas and transferred into U.S. custody, the DOJ said. Authorities describe Al-Saadi as a senior operative tied to the Iraq-based Shia terror group.
Federal prosecutors charged Al-Saadi with six terrorism-related offenses for his activities, including conspiring to provide material support to Kataib Hezbollah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, plotting attacks targeting Americans, conspiring to bomb places of public use, and attempted destruction of property using fire or explosives. Some of the charges carry potential prison sentences ranging from 15 years to life.
Federal authorities said Al-Saadi and his associates were involved in coordinating terrorist attacks across Europe and Canada and were planning future attacks in the United States.
FBI Director Kash Patel said Al-Saadi and his associates were targeting Jewish institutions in multiple states.
“Al-Saadi and his associates allegedly planned, coordinated, and claimed responsibility for at least 20 terrorist attacks across Europe and in Canada — and were believed to be targeting the United States for upcoming attacks including Jewish institutions in New York, California, and Arizona,” Patel wrote in a statement posted to X.
The DOJ listed examples of alleged attacks tied to Al-Saadi and his associates, including a March 2026 explosives attack targeting the Bank of New York Mellon in Amsterdam. Prosecutors say Al-Saadi later posted a propaganda video referencing the attack.
In another alleged incident, an arson attack targeted a synagogue in Skopje, North Macedonia, on April 12. Days later, prosecutors say Al-Saadi posted a video showing the synagogue engulfed in flames alongside a red target symbol.
Patel described Al-Saadi as a “high-value target responsible for mass global terrorism” and praised FBI agents, tactical units, and international partners involved in the operation.
“This was a righteous mission executed brilliantly by our agents, investigators, CIRG tactical units and interagency partners who delivered yet again,” Patel wrote.
Federal prosecutors also allege that Al-Saadi used social media to encourage attacks against Americans and Jews in support of Kataib Hezbollah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
According to the DOJ, Al-Saadi posted a message in February 2026 urging followers to “kill everyone who supports America and Israel” and calling for attacks on both civilian and military targets. Prosecutors say the post was part of a broader effort to direct and inspire attacks against U.S. and Israeli interests.
Kataib Hezbollah was formed following the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq and has long been considered one of Iran’s most dangerous and loyal proxy organizations.
The Shiite militia is backed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force, or IRGC-QF, which the United States has designated as a terrorist organization. U.S. officials have repeatedly accused the group of carrying out attacks on American military personnel and facilities in Iraq and Syria using rockets, drones, and improvised explosive devices.
According to the National Counterterrorism Center, Kataib Hezbollah works extensively with the IRGC-QF, closely follows the direction of Iran’s Supreme Leader, and seeks to establish an Iran-aligned government in Iraq.
The National Counterterrorism Center says the organization possesses armored vehicles, artillery systems, missiles, man-portable air defense systems, and explosively formed projectiles. The militia has also reportedly received extensive funding, intelligence support, training, and weapons from Iran.
The group additionally maintains close ties with Hezbollah in Lebanon, another Iranian-backed organization designated by the United States as a terrorist group.
Earlier this year, Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused the group of kidnapping American journalist Shelly Kittleson in Baghdad before later releasing her.
Al-Saadi also reportedly knew Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, the longtime commander of the IRGC-QF who was killed in a U.S. airstrike ordered by President Donald Trump in January 2020 near Baghdad International Airport.
Jewish institutions across the United States and Europe have faced heightened threats and security concerns since the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel.
