An Afghan national who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS) has pleaded guilty to terrorism charges after plotting a mass-casualty attack on American soil during the 2024 US presidential election.
Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, admitted in federal court to conspiring to provide material support to ISIS and attempting to obtain firearms and ammunition in furtherance of a federal crime of terrorism.
The Oklahoma-based plot, which involved plans to use AK-47 rifles and 500 rounds of ammunition, was foiled by an undercover FBI operation.
“By pledging allegiance to ISIS and plotting an attack against innocent Americans on Election Day, this defendant endangered lives and gravely betrayed the nation that gave him refuge,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement.
“Today’s guilty plea guarantees he will be held accountable, stripped of his immigration status, and permanently removed from the United States.”
According to court documents, Tawhedi and his co-conspirator, Abdullah Haji Zada, 18, attempted to purchase two AK-47s, 500 rounds of ammunition, and 10 magazines between June and October 2024. Tawhedi had been communicating with an ISIS facilitator and sought confirmation that the weapons cache was sufficient for the attack planned around 5 November 2024.
Both men were arrested on 7 October 2024 after purchasing the weapons from an undercover FBI agent. Zada, who was 17 at the time, pleaded guilty in April 2025 and will be sentenced as an adult.
FBI Director Kash Patel praised the successful disruption of the plot:
“The defendant admits he planned and obtained firearms to carry out a violent terror attack on Election Day in 2024, a plot that was detected and disrupted through the good work of the FBI and our partners.”
“This case is a stark reminder that we remain vigilant in identifying and stopping threats to our democracy,” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester for the Western District of Oklahoma. “Through incredible law enforcement coordination, a violent terrorist attack was thwarted.”
Tawhedi faces up to 20 years in prison for providing material support to ISIS and up to 15 years for the firearms charge. Both he and Zada will be deported to Afghanistan upon completion of their sentences and barred from reentering the US.
The FBI Oklahoma City Field Office’s Joint Terrorism Task Force led the investigation, with assistance from Homeland Security, ICE, USCIS, and local and campus police departments.
Tawhedi, who arrived in the United States as a refugee, now faces up to 35 years in prison and permanent removal from the country. Sentencing will be determined by a federal judge at a later date.
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