US authorities have announced the indictment of an Iraqi national accused of helping an Iranian-backed militia plan attacks targeting locations in the United States and Europe. The case, revealed Friday by the federal prosecutor's office in New York, comes amid heightened tensions related to pro-Iranian armed groups in the Middle East.
According to US prosecutors, the man is suspected of having participated in planning coordinated attacks on behalf of Kata'ib Hezbollah, a powerful Iraqi Shiite militia supported by Tehran. Investigators allege that he helped prepare operations targeting, among others, American citizens and Jewish people.
The prosecutor's office believes the alleged plots involved both the United States and several European countries. However, authorities have not publicly specified the exact targets or indicated whether any imminent attacks were thwarted.
At a press conference in New York, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, described the case as a serious threat to national security. U.S. authorities say they are closely monitoring the activities of armed groups linked to Iran, which Washington accuses of supporting hostile operations against American and Western interests.
The defense attorney, for his part, expressed concerns about the legal treatment of his client and the accusations against him. At this stage, the charges remain allegations, and the accused benefits from the presumption of innocence.
This incident comes at a time of heightened regional tensions following recent clashes involving Iran and its allies. For several years, US authorities have feared that certain groups backed by Tehran are seeking to expand their operations beyond the Middle East, particularly into Europe and the United States.
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