AJC Praises U.S. Agencies for Preventing Iranian Terror in Washington

News provided by

Oct 11, 2011, 05:26 ET

NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC praised U.S. law enforcement agencies for foiling an Iranian terror plot in Washington, D.C. The plan, as revealed today by Attorney General Eric Holder, involved assassinating the Saudi Ambassador to the U.S., Adel al-Jubeir, as well as attacks on other targets. The Israeli Embassy was on the list.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100816/AJCLOGO)

"The Iranian regime's terror arm reaches far, demanding constant vigilance," said AJC Executive Director David Harris. "Thankfully, our intelligence and law enforcement agencies prevented a terror disaster in our nation's capital."

Holder announced that the investigation began in May. Two Iranians have been charged. One, a U.S. citizen, was arrested in New York. The other suspect remains at large. Both have direct links to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards.

"This stunning revelation of an Iranian government plot to carry out a major terror act in the U.S. comes just a few weeks after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited New York to attend the UN, even as his country makes a constant mockery of the world body's ideals," said Harris.

"It's also a reminder that Iran, which continues to develop nuclear weapons and the capability to deliver them, remains one of the most dangerous nations on earth today," said Harris. "Imagine what Iran might attempt to do if it actually had weapons of mass destruction in its hands."

SOURCE American Jewish Committee