Iraqi National Charged with Plotting US Terror Attacks on Jewish Sites

Federal prosecutors charged an Iraqi national Friday with plotting terror attacks in the United States, including at a Jewish institution in New York.

Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi faces charges including conspiracy to provide material support to Iranian-backed terrorist organizations such as Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Kata'ib Hizballah.

Al-Saadi appeared in court in Lower Manhattan and remains in custody. His next appearance is scheduled for June 29.

Court documents show photos of Al-Saadi meeting Qasem Soleimani, the former IRGC leader killed in a US strike.

Prosecutors identified Al-Saadi as a commander for Kata'ib Hizballah. They said he took part in planning, executing and promoting about 18 terror attacks against US and Israeli interests in Europe since March 9.

Al-Saadi tried to recruit an undercover agent for the US plot. He showed the agent photos and maps of the target, a prominent New York synagogue.

On April 1, prosecutors said Al-Saadi was recorded on a phone call asking the cost to hire someone "to carry out a bombing operation" in the US. "I mean, we provide him with a Jewish temple, a Jewish center," Al-Saadi said.

Court papers indicate Al-Saadi was connected with the undercover agent. He supplied a photo and map of the specific New York synagogue, plus similar materials for prominent Jewish centers in Los Angeles and Scottsdale, Arizona.

The agent and Al-Saadi agreed on $10,000 in cryptocurrency for the job. Al-Saadi sent $3,000 as a down payment and demanded the attack occur on April 6.

Authorities arrested him after that.