FBI Transfers Alleged Europe Attack Coordinator To New York Terror Case Alleging Synagogue Bomb Plot
The FBI transferred Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi to federal court in Lower Manhattan on May 15, 2026 to face charges that he plotted terror attacks in the U.S., including a prominent New York synagogue.[1]
Prosecutors say al-Saadi is a commander in Kata'ib Hizbollah and planned, executed and promoted roughly 18 reported attacks against U.S. and Israeli interests in Europe since March 9, 2026.[1] Court filings include photos of him meeting slain Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani.[1]
On April 1, 2026 prosecutors say al-Saadi was recorded asking how much it would cost to hire someone "to carry out a bombing operation" in the U.S.[1] They say he specified a "Jewish temple" or "Jewish center" as the target.[1] Prosecutors say he provided an undercover agent with a photo and map of a specific New York synagogue and similar materials for Jewish centers in Los Angeles and Scottsdale, Arizona.[1] They say he agreed to pay the agent $10,000 in cryptocurrency, sent a $3,000 down payment, and demanded the bombing occur on April 6, 2026 before his arrest.[1]
Fox News reported the FBI brought the Iraqi national to New York to face trial and described him as accused of coordinating nearly 20 terror attacks in Europe.[2] A CBS News video segment on May 15 reiterated the federal charges but did not add new dates, locations, or targets beyond the written report.[3] Al-Saadi appeared in court on May 15, is being held in custody, and his next court appearance is scheduled for June 29, 2026.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi was alleged by prosecutors in federal court in Lower Manhattan on May 15, 2026 to have plotted terror attacks in the U.S., including at a prominent New York synagogue.
- Prosecutors allege Kata'ib Hizbollah commander al‑Saadi planned, executed and promoted roughly 18 reported terror attacks against U.S. and Israeli interests in Europe since March 9, 2026.
- Court documents include photos of al‑Saadi meeting with slain IRGC Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani.
- On April 1, 2026 prosecutors say al‑Saadi was recorded asking about the cost to hire someone 'to carry out a bombing operation' in the U.S., specifying a Jewish temple or 'Jewish center' as the target.
- Al‑Saadi allegedly gave an undercover agent a photo and map of a specific New York synagogue to attack, plus similar photos and maps of Jewish centers in Los Angeles and Scottsdale, Arizona.
- Prosecutors say al‑Saadi agreed to pay the undercover agent $10,000 in cryptocurrency, sent a $3,000 down payment, and demanded the bombing occur on April 6, 2026 before his arrest.
- Al‑Saadi appeared in court in Lower Manhattan on May 15, 2026; he is being held in custody and has a next court appearance scheduled for June 29, 2026.
- A CBS video segment on May 15, 2026 reiterated that al‑Saadi faces U.S. federal charges for allegedly plotting multiple attacks in the U.S., and did not add new dates, locations, or targets beyond the written report.
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- CBS video segment on May 15, 2026, reiterates that Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi is facing U.S. federal charges for allegedly plotting several terror attacks in the United States, including targeting a Jewish institution in New York.
- The segment restates that officials say Al-Saadi plotted multiple attacks in the U.S., but does not add new dates, locations, or additional targets beyond what is already in the written CBS report.
- On Friday, May 15, 2026, prosecutors in federal court in Lower Manhattan detailed allegations that Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi plotted terror attacks in the U.S., including at a prominent synagogue in New York.
- Prosecutors allege al-Saadi is a commander for Kata'ib Hizbollah and has been involved in planning, executing and promoting approximately 18 reported terror attacks against U.S. and Israeli interests in Europe since March 9, 2026.
- Court documents include photos of al-Saadi meeting with slain IRGC Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani.
- Prosecutors say that on April 1, 2026, al-Saadi was recorded asking how much it would cost to hire someone "to carry out a bombing operation" in the U.S., specifying a "Jewish temple" or "Jewish center" as the target.
- Al-Saadi allegedly provided an undercover agent with a photo and map of a specific New York synagogue to attack, as well as similar photos and maps of prominent Jewish centers in Los Angeles and Scottsdale, Arizona.
- Prosecutors say al-Saadi agreed to pay the undercover agent $10,000 in cryptocurrency to carry out the attack, sent a $3,000 down payment, and demanded that the bombing occur on April 6, 2026, before his subsequent arrest.
- Al-Saadi appeared in court in Lower Manhattan on May 15, 2026, is being held in custody, and his next court appearance is scheduled for June 29, 2026.