His defence lawyer, Paul Hynes KC, highlighted Natland’s young age and previous achievements as a student and sportsman, arguing that drug abuse had contributed to his decline.
He stressed that Natland had changed, and posed no future danger.
His 17-year-old recruiter, known as “Generalen”, was convicted in Norway of attempting to “contribute to murder” in May last year.
Police have also arrested three other people in connection with related investigations, although prosecutors have yet to decide whether to indict them.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said: “Natland was clearly being tasked by someone in the Foxtrot Network, an organised criminal group sanctioned by the UK and the US due to its involvement in orchestrating violence against Jewish and Israeli targets in Europe on behalf of the Iranian regime.
“The intended target of this specific assassination has never been identified, and we found no evidence of any direct link to Iran in this case.
“However, as recent events have shown, CTP will seek to proactively disrupt any attempts by hostile states to carry out criminal acts in the UK.”
Meanwhile, Frank Ferguson, head of the Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: “This case shows how organised crime networks operate across borders and exploit young people to carry out serious violence.
“Thanks to swift and coordinated police work, this plot was stopped before anyone was harmed.
“The evidence in this case – including telephone evidence, text messages, CCTV footage and witness testimony – clearly left no doubt that Natland intended to carry out this crime.
“This conviction sends a clear message: if you come to this country to commit serious violence on behalf of organised criminals, you will be caught and we will make sure you are brought to justice.”
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