A radicalised ISIS-supporter had plans to target Sydney's St Mary's Cathedral and the American embassy for terror attacks and "to conquer" a rural town like Orange, a court has been told.
Isaac El Matari also spoke of travelling to Afghanistan to fight on the frontline with the aim of supporting ISIS.
The 22-year-old, who was arrested in July 2019, faced a sentence hearing in the NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday.
He's pleaded guilty to doing an act in preparation and planning for a terrorist act, as well as preparations for incursions into foreign countries to engage in hostile activities,
Crown prosecutor Sophie Callan SC said El Matari left Australia when he was 18 but was arrested in 2017 and incarcerated in Lebanon for seeking to join Islamic State.
But this did not deter him and on his return to Sydney, the depth and extent of his radicalisation continued up until his arrest.
Citing the agreed statement of facts, she said he discussed with others his plans such as insurgency in rural Australia, referring to the landscape and population.
He mentioned specific targets including the American embassy, St Mary's cathedral and police stations, and referred to "conquering a small town or village" naming Orange.
He also spoke of travelling to Afghanistan's Khorasan province via Pakistan to engage with ISIS in its armed hostile activities.
Referring to a defence submission about El Matari having made grandiose or delusional statements, Ms Callan said this did not undermine the genuineness of his intentions.
The hearing continues before Justice Peter Garling.
