Speaking at a press conference in the capital, police said the two men were sympathisers of the Islamic State.
“The two suspects became radicalised by the internet, a 19-year-old citizen of Lower Austria made an oath of allegiance to the current leader of IS at the beginning of July,” police said, according to the Associated Press.
It is DEL the ED said the teenager was an Austrian citizen of North Macedonian descent.
Officials said the two suspects had undertaken “concrete preparatory measures” for a terrorist attack after police suspected explosives were stored at the home of the suspect in Ternitz.
Police also said that chemical substances were secured at the home of the teenager and were being evaluated.
“From the current standpoint of the investigation we assume that the target of the attack were events in the Vienna region,” police added.
In the US, officials who had been briefed on events said the authorities in Austria were looking for an additional individual or individuals who may have some knowledge of this planned attack.
Reports suggested the plot was stopped and the teenager arrested after a tip-off from foreign security authorities.