An Iraqi national with suspected ties to terror groups and the Iranian military has been arrested and hauled to New York to face charges of carrying out 20 terror attacks against US and Israeli interests in Europe and Canada — and plotting the bombing of a New York synagogue.

Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, an alleged “commander” in terrorist organization linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, orchestrated the attacks — including the firebombing of the Bank of New York Mellon building in Amsterdam and stabbing of two Jewish victims in London — as retaliation for the US and Israel’s ongoing war in Iran, a newly unsealed criminal complaint alleges.

Al-Saadi was also behind a March 9, 2026, bombing of a synagogue in Liège, Belgium, a March 13, 2026, arson of a temple in Rotterdam, and paid an undercover law enforcement officer $3,000 to bomb a “prominent” Big Apple temple in April, court papers allege.

Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi (right) has ties to Hezbollah and was arrested and charged with carrying out terror attacks in Europe. DOJ

The specific New York City synagogue was kept under wraps by prosecutors Friday.  Al-Saadi also allegedly tried to attack targets in Los Angeles and Scottsdale, Ariz. 

The suspect, who was allegedly the high-ranking official in Kata’ib Hizballah, “has directed and urged others to attack U.S. and Israeli interests, including by killing Americans and Jews, in retaliation for the Iranian Military Conflict,” the criminal complaint says.

Wearing a gray t-shirt, Al-Saadi griped during his first appearance in Manhattan federal court Friday afternoon  — where he faced charges of conspiring to provide material support to terrorist groups, conspiracy to bomb a place of public use, and other raps— that he is a “prisoner of war.”

Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi (right), pictured here with the late Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani. DOJ

The Iraqi national was accused of plotting to attack Jewish sites in the US. US Southern District NY

“It is very important to Mr. Al-Saadi that the court know that he is a political prisoner and a prisoner of war and should be treated as such,” his public defender, Andrew Dalack, told the court.

Al-Saadi, who was arrested in Turkey earlier this week before being hauled to the US, is being kept in solitary confinement at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center, Dalack said.

“Al-Saadi attempted to disrupt American society through intimidation and violence.  In a righteous and just contrast, his prosecution will highlight the best of our country,” Manhattan US Attorney Jay Clayton said in a statement.

The aftermath of an arson attack on a synagogue on ABN Davidsplein in Rotterdam, which Al-Saadi was allegedly behind. Media TV via ANP/AFP via Getty Images

Al-Saadi was also allegedly behind the attack on this temple in Leige. Soldiers were seen still standing guard a month affter the attack. Belga/AFP via Getty Images

The scene of the explosion after the attack on the temple in Leige. BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images

“Those who engage in or support terrorism against Americans and on U.S. soil should take note:  the whole of the federal government is committed to dismantling terrorist organizations and bringing their members to justice.”

Al-Saadi was held without bail Friday afternoon, with his next court date set for May 29.

“This case puts into stark relief the global threats posed by the Iranian regime and its proxies like Kata’ib Hizballah—Foreign Terrorist Organizations that have repeatedly targeted Jewish communities across Europe and the United States since the war began,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said in a statement.

Al-Saadi was allegedly behind the synagogue bombing in Liège, Belgium, on March 13, 2026. US Southern District NY

The alleged “commander” has been held without bail at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center. US Southern District NY

The suspected terrorist, who also had alleged ties to Hezbollah, posed for photos with well-known Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani, who was killed by a US drone strike in 2020, according to court papers.

Federal prosecutors allege that he has ties to the IRGC, the Iraq-based Kata’ib Hizballah group, and to Hezbollah.