US charges three men over alleged Iran-backed plots, including RAF Fairford

Coverage spectrum

Covered by 28 outlets across the spectrum.

39 articles in total, 2 of them opinion. The spectrum counts each outlet once and leaves opinion out. How we measure bias

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The US Justice Department has charged three men over alleged Iran-backed plots against targets in the United States and Europe, in an indictment released on Tuesday. Prosecutors accuse the network of more than a dozen attacks and attempted attacks, including a September plot against the RAF Fairford air base in England, where American forces are stationed. One accused figure, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, has been in US custody since May and is held in a New York jail. According to the indictment, he made calls from jail and sought to pass coded messages to two associates in Iran.

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Right
Mainstream conservative perspectives focusing on market freedom and tradition.
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Key points

Each point shows who reports it, from Far Left to Far Right.

The US Justice Department has charged three men over alleged Iran-backed plots, including a September plot against the RAF Fairford air base in England.
Across the spectrumReported byLeft4Center4Far Right3See the outletsHide the outlets
Left
The Guardian, CBS News, The Washington Post, NPR
Center
PBS NewsHour, Financial Times, Sky News, NewsNation
Far Right
Breitbart News, One America News, The Daily Wire
Prosecutors accuse the network of more than a dozen attacks and attempted attacks across Europe and the United States.
Reported byLeft2Center2Far Right1See the outletsHide the outlets
Left
CBS News, NPR
Center
Sky News, NewsNation
Far Right
The Daily Wire
Alleged figure Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi has been in US custody since May and is held in a New York jail.
Reported byLeft2Center1See the outletsHide the outlets
Left
The Guardian, The Washington Post
Center
Financial Times
According to the indictment, al-Saadi made calls from jail and sought to pass coded messages to two associates in Iran.
One outletThe Guardian· Left

What is contested

Where accounts differ

Questions the coverage answers differently, and who says what.

Were nearly 20 attacks or attempted attacks linked to the network?
The Daily Wire, NPR and NewsNation put the figure at nearly or about 20, while CBS News and Sky News describe more than a dozen.

How each side tells it

Compare views

Every side reports that the US Justice Department has charged three men over alleged Iran-backed plots, including a September plot on RAF Fairford. The main difference is emphasis: left headlines stress the Iranian backing and the investigation, while right headlines stress the threat to US forces and the Iranian label.

the left
10 outlets
Left headlines stress the Iranian backing and the investigation, presenting the charges as accusations by US officials; the Guardian frames the case as a mystery being unravelled.
Three men backed by Iran plotted to attack British air base, U.S. says
The Washington PostLeftAll left-leaning headlines
the center
9 outlets
Center headlines lead with the charges and the US claims behind them, using attribution such as alleged, allegedly linked or US claims.
RAF Fairford incident partly directed from New York jail, US claims
Financial TimesCenterAll center headlines
the right
9 outlets · 1 opinion
Right headlines lead with the indictment and the threat to US forces, with Far Right outlets naming the US Air Force and calling the men Iranian or masterminds.
Three Iranians Indicted For Terror Plot Against Air Force Base
The Daily WireFar RightAll right-leaning headlines

The words they chose

Language to notice

Words that carry a judgement beyond the facts. Tap a highlighted word anywhere on the page to see why.

Left1
fear and chaos
Center0
No loaded words in its own voice.
Right8
They may be evil20 Iran-Backed Terror Attacksjihadisinfamous attempt

In the outlets’ own words

Loaded modifier
They may be evilMore neutral: The accused are alleged to have directed the plot.
Calling the accused “evil” in the outlet’s own voice passes a moral verdict on them before the case is tried.
They may be evil, but we shouldn't presume they're stupid.
Used byRedState (Far Right)
Sensational language
20 Iran-Backed Terror AttacksMore neutral: nearly 20 Iran-backed attacks
The headline turns the AP report's nearly 20 alleged attacks into a firm count of 20 stated as fact.
US Charges 3 Men with Plotting 20 Iran-Backed Terror Attacks on Jews and US Airbase in UK
Used byCBN News (Far Right)
Loaded modifier
jihadisMore neutral: Iran-backed operatives
The label “jihadis” adds a religious connotation that the charges themselves do not state.
Department of Justice has indicted Iranian-backed jihadis linked to numerous terrorist attacks, including the infamous attempt in September on…
Used byPJ Media (Far Right)
Sensational language
infamous attemptMore neutral: the attempt in September
“Infamous” adds a judgement about the September attempt that the reported facts do not require.
…Iranian-backed jihadis linked to numerous terrorist attacks, including the infamous attempt in September on the UK airbase that Americans use for launching strikes on Iran.
Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

Show 5 more phrasesShow fewer

Loaded modifier
infamousMore neutral: known for (describe)
Judgement of reputation as fact.
…indicted Iranian-backed jihadis linked to numerous terrorist attacks, including the infamous attempt in September on the UK airbase that Americans use for launching strikes on…
Used byPJ Media (Far Right)
Sensational language
genocidalMore neutral: Iranian government
“Genocidal” characterises the Iranian government with a judgement the indictment does not make.
The DOJ announced the indictments of three terrorists backed by the genocidal Iranian regime on Tuesday, November 10.
Used byPJ Media (Far Right)
Loaded modifier
FugitivesMore neutral: Defendants
Calling the men fugitives suggests they are evading justice, which the supplied text does not establish for all three.
Iran-Backed Fugitives Indicted for Alleged Role in Foiled Attack on UK Airbase
Used byThe Epoch Times (Far Right)
Sensational language
Rising on Multiple FrontsMore neutral: Iran-linked threats reported across several areas
The headline presents a broad escalating trend beyond the specific charges reported in the story.
Iranian Threats Rising on Multiple Fronts, From Terror Plots to Cyberattacks
Used byCBN News (Far Right)
Sensational language
fear and chaosMore neutral: trying to intimidate people in the UK
The phrase adds dramatic language to a description of alleged intent that could be stated plainly.
…that al-Saadi has two allies, believed to be in Iran, also trying to provoke fear and chaos in the UK – one of whom is accused of orchestrating the September incident at RAF…
Used byThe Guardian (Left)

See the full language guide

See for yourself

Side by side

What each side leads with and what it leaves out. Open a side to read its headlines.

From the left

10 outlets

Leads with

Iranian backing of the plots
British air base targeted
Accusations made by US officials

See the 10 headlines from the leftHide the headlines

The GuardianLeft
US terror case sheds light on RAF Fairford arrests mystery
Suspect held in New York jail has been linked to handler behind Iran-linked operations in Britain When the US took custody of Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi in May, investigators hoped the string of terror and arson attacks he was accused of promoting and directing against …
50 min agoRead at The Guardian (opens in a new tab)
1 more from The Guardian
- US prosecutors charge Iranian operative allegedly responsible for UK air force base attack
CBS NewsLeft
DOJ details numerous terror plots and charges 3 people for alleged Iranian-backed plans
The Justice Department released more details on more than a dozen terror plots in the U.S. and Europe being linked to Iran. Three people have been charged. CBS News' Courtney Kealy reports.
1 day agoRead at CBS News (opens in a new tab)
1 more from CBS News
- 3 Iran-backed operatives indicted for alleged role in terror plots
The Washington PostLeft
Three men backed by Iran plotted to attack British air base, U.S. says
One of the men passed messages from jail to attempt an attack on an air base in England used by U.S. forces, the Justice Department said.
1 day agoRead at The Washington Post (opens in a new tab)
NPRLeft
Iran-backed trio accused of plotting attacks on U.K. base hosting U.S. jets
Iran-backed operatives have been charged over nearly 20 attacks, including a plot on a U.K. base housing U.S. troops. Separately, a U.S. soldier is held in the U.K. on Russia spying claims.
1 day agoRead at NPR (opens in a new tab)
Al Jazeera EnglishLeft
US charges three men for allegedly plotting attack on UK base
The US has charged three men over alleged involvement in a plot to attack a Royal Air Force Base in Fairford, UK.
2 days agoRead at Al Jazeera English (opens in a new tab)
1 more from Al Jazeera English
- US charges 3 ‘Iranian-backed’ men over alleged plot at UK Fairford air base
NBC NewsLeft
U.S. charges 3 men with plotting multiple terror attacks, including planned attack against U.K. airbase
One of the men helped direct the planned attack against the air base while he was in a U.S. prison, according to a Justice Department indictment.
2 days agoRead at NBC News (opens in a new tab)
The Boston GlobeFar LeftAssociated Press report
US charges three men with plotting terror attacks, including planned assault on UK airbase
NEW YORK — A man jailed on terrorism charges in New York was able to pass secret messages to Iranian operatives planning an attack on a British airbase used by the US Air Force, according to an indictment unsealed Tuesday. …
2 days agoRead at The Boston Globe (opens in a new tab)
CNNLeft
Iranian operative directed terror plot on UK Air Force base used by US from a NY jail, DOJ alleges
From a jail in New York, a commander of an Iranian terrorist proxy group helped direct a failed plot to attack a key UK air force base used by the US to execute the war with Iran, federal prosecutors allege in a new indictment. …
2 days agoRead at CNN (opens in a new tab)
ABC NewsLeftAssociated Press report
US charges 3 men with plotting terror attacks, including planned assault on UK airbase
ABC News published a report that is shown in full at Scripps News.
2 days agoRead at ABC News (opens in a new tab)
HuffPostFar LeftAssociated Press report
U.S. Charges 3 Men With Plotting Nearly 20 Iran-Affiliated Terror Attacks
HuffPost published a report that is shown in full at Scripps News. The headline is the one HuffPost gave it.
2 days agoRead at HuffPost (opens in a new tab)

From the center

9 outlets

Leads with

Charges against three men
Direction of the plot from a New York jail
Scope across US and Europe

See the 10 headlines from the centerHide the headlines

PBS NewsHourCenter
Indictment sheds light on alleged Iran-backed plots across U.S. and Europe
Iran's top national security official warned that it would strike American bases beyond the Gulf, including in Europe, if the United States resumes air strikes against the Islamic Republic. …
1 day agoRead at PBS NewsHour (opens in a new tab)
1 more from PBS NewsHour
- News Wrap: U.S. charges 3 with plotting attacks at air base and Jewish communities
NewsNationCenter
How US says jailed terror suspect ran Iran-backed plot from prison
1 day agoRead at NewsNation (opens in a new tab)
1 more from NewsNation
- Iran-backed operatives charged in 20 terror attack cases
Financial TimesCenter
RAF Fairford incident partly directed from New York jail, US claims
US indictment links alleged plot to attack British air base to wider campaign across Europe targeting Jewish sites
1 day agoRead at Financial Times (opens in a new tab)
Sky NewsCenter
US charges three men allegedly linked to RAF Fairford incident
Three men have been accused by US authorities of being Iran-supported operatives who plotted more than a dozen attacks, including an alleged terrorist plot near a UK military base where American aircraft were stationed.
2 days agoRead at Sky News (opens in a new tab)
BBC NewsCenter
Three Iran-backed suspects plotted attacks including RAF Fairford incident, US says
The US Department of Justice said one of the men continued to communicate with contacts from prison in New York.
2 days agoRead at BBC News (opens in a new tab)
NewsweekCenter
Terror Plot Targeting US Troops Allegedly Directed From Behind Bars
An Iran-backed operative allegedly used coded messages to help plan attacks, including one targeting a British military base.
2 days agoRead at Newsweek (opens in a new tab)
Deutsche WelleCenter
US charges 3 alleged Iranian operatives over plots targeting Jewish communities and a UK airbase
US prosecutors claim the three men were planning a "campaign of terror" ish communities and a UK airbase. The Fairford incident prompted the withdrawal of US bombers stationed there for operations against Iran.
2 days agoRead at Deutsche Welle (opens in a new tab)
France 24Center
US charges three 'Iranian operatives' over RAF Fairford terror plot
The US Justice Department on Tuesday charged three men it described as Iranian operatives over an alleged September terrorist plot at Britain's RAF Fairford airbase in England. …
2 days agoRead at France 24 (opens in a new tab)
Scripps NewsCenterAssociated Press report
US charges 3 men with plotting terror attacks, including planned assault on UK airbase
Three men, including one already jailed in the United States, were accused by U.S. authorities Tuesday of being Iran-supported operatives who plotted nearly 20 attacks on Jewish communities in Europe and the U.S. as well as a planned assault on a British airbase used by the U.S. …
2 days agoRead at Scripps News (opens in a new tab)
Also published by ABC News, CBN News, HuffPost and PBS NewsHour. It counts once.
PBS NewsHourCenterAssociated Press report
U.S. charges 3 men with plotting terror attacks, including planned assault on UK airbase
PBS NewsHour published a report that is shown in full at Scripps News.
2 days agoRead at PBS NewsHour (opens in a new tab)

From the right

9 outlets · 1 opinion

Leads with

Threat to US military personnel
Iranian operatives labelled as such
Scale of nearly 20 attacks

See the 12 headlines from the rightHide the headlines

Breitbart NewsFar Right
Alleged Masterminds of Iranian Terror Attacks, Including 'Fairford Plot' Against USAF, Indicted in U.S.
The alleged mastermind of an Iranian plot against American troops and aircraft stationed at an airbase in Britain has been charged.
22 hr agoRead at Breitbart News (opens in a new tab)
One America NewsFar Right
DOJ: 3 Iranian-backed operatives indicted over terror plots in U.S. and Europe, including RAF Fairford
The Department of Justice (DOJ) unsealed the indictment against three Iranian-backed individuals, charging them with terror-related offenses across Europe and the United States, including the recent plot against the British Royal Air Force (RAF) Base in Fairford, United Kingdom.
1 day agoRead at One America News (opens in a new tab)
The Daily WireFar Right
Three Iranians Indicted For Terror Plot Against Air Force Base
Three alleged operatives working on behalf of Iran-backed terrorist organizations have been indicted for their roles in nearly 20 attacks and attempted attacks across Europe and the United States, including a September plot targeting a British air base where American military …
1 day agoRead at The Daily Wire (opens in a new tab)
CBN NewsFar Right
Iranian Threats Sensational language“Rising on Multiple Fronts”The headline presents a broad escalating trend beyond the specific charges reported in the story.More neutral: Iran-linked threats reported across several areasDisagree with this highlight?, From Terror Plots to Cyberattacks
From terror plots to cyberattacks, the threat from Iran is escalating across multiple fronts. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has reportedly moved to a military base due to Iranian threats against his life. And, once again, the U.S. …
1 day agoRead at CBN News (opens in a new tab)
The Epoch TimesFar Right
Iran-Backed Loaded modifier“Fugitives”Calling the men fugitives suggests they are evading justice, which the supplied text does not establish for all three.More neutral: DefendantsDisagree with this highlight? Indicted for Alleged Role in Foiled Attack on UK Airbase
Two Iranians and one Iraqi citizen face multiple charges related to nearly 20 terror attacks or attempted attacks across Europe and the United States.
2 days agoRead at The Epoch Times (opens in a new tab)
PJ MediaFar Right
Iranian-Linked Terrorists Who Targeted UK Base Indicted in Nearly 20 Attacks
The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted Iranian-backed Loaded modifier“jihadis”The label “jihadis” adds a religious connotation that the charges themselves do not state.More neutral: Iran-backed operativesDisagree with this highlight? linked to numerous terrorist attacks, including the Sensational language“infamous attempt”“Infamous” adds a judgement about the September attempt that the reported facts do not require.More neutral: the attempt in SeptemberDisagree with this highlight? in September on the UK airbase that Americans use for launching strikes on Iran.
2 days agoRead at PJ Media (opens in a new tab)
1 more from PJ Media
- He Was in an American Jail, but Prosecutors Say He Still Helped Coordinate TerrorOpinion
The Center SquareRight
Three Iranian men indicted on terrorism charges in New York
(The Center Square) – Three Iranian men have been indicted on terrorism charges in New York, including for a plan to commit a terrorist attack at a British Royal Air Force Base in the U.K. to kill American servicemen and…
2 days agoRead at The Center Square (opens in a new tab)
Also published by Just the News. It counts once.
New York PostRight
Three Iran-backed operatives charged in plot targeting UK air base hosting US aircraft
WASHINGTON — An Iran-backed operative orchestrated a foiled terror plot targeting US military aircraft in England from an American prison cell — using “coded messages” in phone calls to relatives in Iraq, according to a federal indictment secured Tuesday. …
2 days agoRead at New York Post (opens in a new tab)
Just the NewsFar Right
US charges three men with plotting nearly 20 attacks on Jewish communities in Europe, US
The three men are suspected of being Iran-supported operatives and one man is already in U.S. custody.
3 days agoRead at Just the News (opens in a new tab)
RedStateFar RightOpinion
Iranian Operative Helped Coordinate UK Air Base Terror Plot From US Prison
We've been reporting for some weeks now about the reported Iranian-backed terror plots against British Royal Air Force (RAF) bases hosting American aircraft, including tankers and strategic bombers. …
2 days agoRead at RedState (opens in a new tab)
CBN NewsFar RightAssociated Press report
US Charges 3 Men with Plotting Sensational language“20 Iran-Backed Terror Attacks”The headline turns the AP report's nearly 20 alleged attacks into a firm count of 20 stated as fact.More neutral: nearly 20 Iran-backed attacksDisagree with this highlight? on Jews and US Airbase in UK
CBN News published a report that is shown in full at Scripps News. The headline is the one CBN News gave it.
2 days agoRead at CBN News (opens in a new tab)
Just the NewsFar RightCenter Square report
Three Iranian men indicted on terrorism charges in New York
Just the News published a report that is shown in full at The Center Square.
3 days agoRead at Just the News (opens in a new tab)
1 more from Just the News
- Three Iranian men indicted on terrorism charges in New York

The stories you read build My Mix, a private picture of which sides cover the stories you choose, kept on this device. What is My Mix?

The left is Far Left and Left together. The right is Right and Far Right together. Every outlet keeps its own five-point rating.

Who reported it when

How the coverage built up

Left
18 min later
Its first report, Nov 10, 2:43 PM EST
Center
1 hr 31 min later
Its first report, Nov 10, 3:55 PM EST
Right
First to report
New York Post, Nov 10, 2:25 PM EST

See the order the outlets reported inHide the order

New York PostRightNov 10, 2:25 PM EST
CNNLeftNov 10, 2:43 PM EST
Scripps NewsCenterNov 10, 3:55 PM EST
HuffPostFar LeftNov 10, 4:00 PM EST
CBN NewsFar RightNov 10, 4:17 PM EST
ABC NewsLeftNov 10, 4:34 PM EST
The GuardianLeftNov 10, 4:57 PM EST
CBS NewsLeftNov 10, 4:59 PM EST
PBS NewsHourCenterNov 10, 5:11 PM EST
France 24CenterNov 10, 5:26 PM EST
The Center SquareRightNov 10, 5:33 PM EST
Deutsche WelleCenterNov 10, 6:18 PM EST
The Boston GlobeFar LeftNov 10, 7:13 PM EST
PJ MediaFar RightNov 10, 7:33 PM EST
NewsweekCenterNov 10, 7:46 PM EST
BBC NewsCenterNov 10, 8:01 PM EST
NBC NewsLeftNov 10, 8:22 PM EST
NewsNationCenterNov 10, 8:44 PM EST
Al Jazeera EnglishLeftNov 10, 8:44 PM EST
Sky NewsCenterNov 10, 9:45 PM EST
The Epoch TimesFar RightNov 10, 11:12 PM EST
NPRLeftNov 11, 5:02 AM EST
The Washington PostLeftNov 11, 7:35 AM EST
Financial TimesCenterNov 11, 9:14 AM EST
The Daily WireFar RightNov 11, 11:19 AM EST
One America NewsFar RightNov 11, 2:03 PM EST
Breitbart NewsFar RightNov 12, 5:40 AM EST

Times are the ones the outlets published in their own feeds, in Eastern time. Opinion is left out. Just the News gave only a date, so it is not placed.

Key points

Where accounts differ

Compare views

the left

the center

the right

Language to notice

In the outlets’ own words

Side by side

From the left

US terror case sheds light on RAF Fairford arrests mystery

DOJ details numerous terror plots and charges 3 people for alleged Iranian-backed plans

Three men backed by Iran plotted to attack British air base, U.S. says

Iran-backed trio accused of plotting attacks on U.K. base hosting U.S. jets

US charges three men for allegedly plotting attack on UK base

U.S. charges 3 men with plotting multiple terror attacks, including planned attack against U.K. airbase

US charges three men with plotting terror attacks, including planned assault on UK airbase

Iranian operative directed terror plot on UK Air Force base used by US from a NY jail, DOJ alleges

US charges 3 men with plotting terror attacks, including planned assault on UK airbase

U.S. Charges 3 Men With Plotting Nearly 20 Iran-Affiliated Terror Attacks

From the center

Indictment sheds light on alleged Iran-backed plots across U.S. and Europe

How US says jailed terror suspect ran Iran-backed plot from prison

RAF Fairford incident partly directed from New York jail, US claims

US charges three men allegedly linked to RAF Fairford incident

Three Iran-backed suspects plotted attacks including RAF Fairford incident, US says

Terror Plot Targeting US Troops Allegedly Directed From Behind Bars

US charges 3 alleged Iranian operatives over plots targeting Jewish communities and a UK airbase

US charges three 'Iranian operatives' over RAF Fairford terror plot

US charges 3 men with plotting terror attacks, including planned assault on UK airbase

U.S. charges 3 men with plotting terror attacks, including planned assault on UK airbase

From the right

Alleged Masterminds of Iranian Terror Attacks, Including 'Fairford Plot' Against USAF, Indicted in U.S.

DOJ: 3 Iranian-backed operatives indicted over terror plots in U.S. and Europe, including RAF Fairford

Three Iranians Indicted For Terror Plot Against Air Force Base

Iran-Backed FugitivesLoaded modifier“Fugitives”Calling the men fugitives suggests they are evading justice, which the supplied text does not establish for all three.More neutral: DefendantsDisagree with this highlight? Indicted for Alleged Role in Foiled Attack on UK Airbase

Iranian-Linked Terrorists Who Targeted UK Base Indicted in Nearly 20 Attacks

Three Iranian men indicted on terrorism charges in New York

Three Iran-backed operatives charged in plot targeting UK air base hosting US aircraft

US charges three men with plotting nearly 20 attacks on Jewish communities in Europe, US

Iranian Operative Helped Coordinate UK Air Base Terror Plot From US Prison

Three Iranian men indicted on terrorism charges in New York

How the coverage built up

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Iran-Backed Loaded modifier“Fugitives”Calling the men fugitives suggests they are evading justice, which the supplied text does not establish for all three.More neutral: DefendantsDisagree with this highlight? Indicted for Alleged Role in Foiled Attack on UK Airbase