Three men arrested by the FBI for attempting to join the Islamic State allegedly had plans to shoot US President Barack Obama and commit a terrorist attack in New York.

The Brooklyn men, aged 19, 24 and 30, faced court on Wednesday on charges of attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State.

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If found guilty they could face up to 15 years in prison.

Authorities allege one of the men offered to shoot Mr Obama and plant a bomb on Coney Island in New York, while another offered to kill FBI agents and police officers.

“As alleged in the complaint, two of the defendants in this case sought to travel to Syria to join ISIL but were also prepared to wage violent jihad here in the United States,” United States Attorney Loretta Lynch said.

“A third defendant allegedly provided financial assistance and encouragement.

“We will vigorously prosecute those who attempt to travel to Syria to wage violent jihad on behalf of ISIL and those who support them.”

The Uzbeki and Kazakh citizens came to the attention of authorities after posting propaganda on an Islamic State site, with an investigation revealing two of the men had plans to travel to Syria.

On Wednesday morning, authorities arrested one of the men at John F. Kennedy International Airport as he attempted to board a flight to Turkey.

All three defendants were arrested overnight. One at John F. Kennedy airport while attempting to board a flight to Turkey.

— FBI New York (@NewYorkFBI) February 25, 2015

One defendant, Juraboev was also preparing to carry out a terror attack here in the United States

— FBI New York (@NewYorkFBI) February 25, 2015

Juraboev plans for a terror attack included attacks against President Obama or planting a bomb on Coney Island

— FBI New York (@NewYorkFBI) February 25, 2015

A different defendant, Saidakhmetov, expressed his intent to buy a machine gun and shoot police officers and FBI agents

— FBI New York (@NewYorkFBI) February 25, 2015

All the details on the three Brooklyn residents arrested and charged with supporting #ISIL: http://t.co/MUBFj9yZbH

— FBI New York (@NewYorkFBI) February 25, 2015