Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, both from the Philadelphia area, entered their pleas during a brief court appearance following their arrest over an alleged March 7 incident targeting an anti-Islam demonstration outside Gracie Mansion, according to court filings and statements from federal prosecutors.

Authorities allege the two men traveled from Pennsylvania to New York with the intent to carry out an attack on the protest, which was organized by activist Jake Lang, a critic of Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Prosecutors said the defendants deployed two improvised explosive devices containing triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and shrapnel, but the devices failed to detonate.No injuries were reported, and law enforcement officers detained the suspects shortly after the attempted attack.

The mayor and his wife were not present at the residence at the time, officials said.According to a federal complaint, investigators recovered dashcam footage from the suspects’ vehicle in which they allegedly discussed plans to kill as many as 60 people in an effort to “start terror.”

Prosecutors also said the defendants told police they were motivated by the Daesh group.Balat’s legal counsel declined to comment following the hearing, while attorneys representing Kayumi did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The case highlights ongoing concerns among U.S. authorities over self-radicalized individuals and the use of easily assembled explosive materials such as TATP, which has been used in several past attacks due to its relative accessibility despite its volatility.

The defendants are scheduled to return to court on June 16.

The March 20 report, issued by the FBI and other federal agencies, said Iran’s government posed an elevated risk to U.S. military and government personnel, Jewish and Israeli institutions, and Iranian dissidents within the United States.

It added that while no broad threat to the general public had been identified, the potential for targeted attacks remained significant.President Donald Trump had publicly minimized the risk of Iranian retaliation on U.S. soil in recent months.

When asked on March 11 whether he was concerned about a possible attack, Trump said he was not. His rhetoric shifted this week, however, as tensions escalated, including a warning that “a whole civilization will die tonight” before he agreed to delay military action and accept a two-week ceasefire.

The intelligence document, titled “Public Safety Awareness Report,” was released weeks after reports that the White House had blocked a similar product from being made public. At the time, officials said the move was to ensure information was properly vetted.

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said the administration remained focused on protecting national security and cautioned against drawing conclusions from individual law enforcement documents without broader context.

The FBI and National Counterterrorism Center did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while a spokesperson for Iran’s mission to the United Nations declined to comment.

The report, obtained through public records requests by the nonprofit Property of the People, warned of “elevated physical threats” following the outbreak of conflict. It said Iranian security services had previously attempted kidnappings and killings targeting Americans, using methods ranging from firearms to more covert tactics such as poisoning, arson and suffocation.

According to the report, Iranian operatives often rely on individuals with legal status or access within the United States and have used digital tools including social media monitoring, livestreams and mapping applications to identify and surveil potential targets. It also cited the use of cyber tactics such as phishing campaigns.

The report further warned that Iran has attempted to lure individuals to third countries closer to its territory, “almost certainly for kidnapping and eventual executions.”U.S. public opinion has remained cautious about the conflict, with a Reuters/Ipsos poll last month showing that roughly two-thirds of Americans favor ending U.S. involvement quickly, underscoring the sensitivity surrounding threat assessments and policy responses.

Law enforcement agencies were urged to remain vigilant and coordinate closely with federal authorities on any emerging threats.