US blacklists three al Qaeda members living in Iran
The United States on July 20 blacklisted three members of al Qaeda living in Iran, saying they had helped the Islamist militant group on the battlefield, with finance and logistics, and in mediating with Iranian authorities.
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Iran has held several al Qaeda high-ranking members and lower-level militants since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington, though US officials say the precise conditions of their confinement are unclear.
Faisal Jassim Mohammed al-Amri al-Khalidi, a 31-year-old Saudi national, led an al Qaeda brigade and was serving as the group's military commission chief in May 2015, Treasury said, describing him as "part of a new generation" of al Qaeda operatives.
As of 2011, Khalidi liaised between al Qaeda associates, central council members, and leaders within the Pakistani Taliban.
Yisra Muhammad Ibrahim Bayumi, 48 and an Egyptian national, mediated with Iranian authorities as of early 2015, Treasury said, and helped al Qaeda members living in Iran.
Abu Bakr Muhammad Muhammad Ghumayn, 35, had control of the group's financing and organization inside Iran as of 2015, Treasury said. Ghumayn, an Algerian, was previously based in Pakistan.
