Federal authorities foiled an Iranian-sponsored bomb plot to assassinate Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the U.S., busting one of the two suspected schemers.
The purported plan focused on detonating an explosive device inside a popular Washington restaurant frequented by U.S. senators, according to court papers.
Asked about the loss of innocent life in the blast, accused plotter Manssor Arbabsiar replied, "They want that guy done. If the hundred go with him, f--- 'em," court papers indicated.
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder made it clear that the Obama Administration was holding the Iranians responsible for the planned hit.
"The criminal complaint unsealed today exposes a deadly plot directed by factions of the Iranian government to assassinate a foreign ambassador on U.S. soil with explosives," he said.
The terrorist twosome - identified as Arbabsiar, 56, and Gholam Shakuri - were also charged in a federal complaint with conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction.
Arbabsiar, a naturalized American citizen, was arrested at JFK Airport on Sept. 29, while Shakuri remains on the run. Both are originally from Iran.
Shakuri was identified as an Iran-based member of a special operations unit responsible for promoting international terrorism.
The Qods Force, as it's known, is affiliated with the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, authorities said.
The pair had attempted to hire a Mexico-based hit squad - but instead met up with an undercover Drug Enforcement Agency informant, court papers said.
Arbabsiar was due in Manhattan Federal Court for an appearance later Tuesday.
Court papers said the pair began plotting earlier this year to murder Adel Al-Jubeir, and the feds finally thwarted the scheme with the arrest of Arbabsiar.
The pair faces up to life in prison if convicted of all charges in the five-count federal indictment.
Arbabsiar also wired more than $100,000 to the U.S. as they conspired to pull off the killing, officials said.
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