Federal authorities arrested an Iraqi militia commander affiliated with an Iranian-backed group who allegedly plotted to target a member of the Trump family, according to court documents and law enforcement sources.
Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, 32, was taken into custody in Turkey and extradited to the United States to face charges related to terrorist attack planning. The suspect is described in federal complaints as a key operative in Iran’s covert overseas terror network.
The Alleged Plot
Court records indicate al-Saadi made statements about targeting the president’s family member in a plot connected to the 2020 killing of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani. According to sources familiar with the investigation, the suspect had obtained architectural blueprints of a Florida residence.
Federal investigators say al-Saadi posted messages on social media outlining surveillance activities related to the property. “I say to the Americans look at this picture and know that neither your palaces nor the Secret Service will protect you,” read one statement attributed to al-Saadi, according to court filings.
Entifadh Qanbar, a former Iraqi embassy official in Washington, told investigators that al-Saadi had expressed intent to retaliate for Soleimani’s death by targeting Trump family members. “After Qasem was killed, he went around telling people ‘we need to kill Ivanka to burn down the house of Trump the way he burned down our house,'” Qanbar stated in an interview.
Terror Network Connections
The suspect maintained ties to Kataib Hezbollah, an Iraqi militia group backed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Federal prosecutors allege al-Saadi received military training from IRGC operatives and participated in planning multiple attack operations.
Court documents describe al-Saadi as instrumental in coordinating terrorist activities across multiple countries, including attacks in the United Kingdom. The investigation into his network remains ongoing.
What Comes Next
Al-Saadi faces federal charges related to conspiracy to conduct terrorist attacks and targeting U.S. persons. Prosecutors have requested he remain in custody pending trial.