In a significant revelation, U.S. prosecutors announced charges on Friday implicating Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in a plot to assassinate former U.S. President Donald Trump and a prominent Iranian-American dissident journalist.
According to the Justice Department, the plot was part of Iran’s retaliation for the 2020 targeted killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, a mission authorized by then-President Trump.
Key Figures and Charges
The Justice Department identified 51-year-old Farhad Shakeri, an Afghan national reportedly residing in Iran, as a central figure in the plot. Shakeri, believed to be an “IRGC asset,” was allegedly instructed by the IRGC to plan Trump’s assassination.
This announcement came just days after Trump’s recent election victory against Vice President Kamala Harris. Shakeri had previously lived in the U.S. before being deported in 2008 following a prison sentence.
In addition to Shakeri, two other individuals, Carlisle Rivera and Jonathon Loadholt, both from New York, were also charged for their involvement in an alleged conspiracy to kill an Iranian-American dissident journalist.
While Rivera and Loadholt are currently in U.S. custody, the Justice Department did not publicly identify the journalist but indicated that the intended target was an outspoken critic of the Iranian regime, likely journalist Masih Alinejad, who has been targeted in previous plots.
FBI’s Response and Ongoing Concerns
FBI Director Christopher Wray condemned Iran’s actions, highlighting Iran’s “brazen attempts” to target U.S. citizens and dissidents critical of Tehran’s regime. He emphasized that the Justice Department remains vigilant against Iran’s continued attempts to extend its reach into the U.S.
The Justice Department disclosed that Shakeri had been building a network of operatives to aid the IRGC, leveraging contacts from his time in U.S. prison to facilitate assassination plots. Prosecutors said Loadholt and Rivera, directed by Shakeri, had been monitoring the targeted journalist, performing months of surveillance under the IRGC’s directive.
Details of the Trump Assassination Plot
Court documents reveal that Shakeri disclosed details of the plot in telephone conversations with undercover FBI agents. In a bid to secure leniency for an associate imprisoned in the U.S., Shakeri allegedly shared information about the assassination plans with the agents.
He revealed that in September, an IRGC official approached him about organizing Trump’s assassination. Despite Shakeri’s concerns about costs, the IRGC official reportedly assured him that “money’s not an issue.”
On October 7, Shakeri claimed the IRGC demanded a detailed plan within seven days to execute Trump’s assassination. As the IRGC assessed Trump would lose the election, officials reportedly suggested that it would be easier to carry out the mission post-election.
Broader Implications and Previous Attempts on Trump
This case adds to a series of incidents where the U.S. has accused Iran of targeting American officials and dissidents, many allegedly linked to the Soleimani killing.
Tehran has consistently denied these accusations. Earlier this year, a Pakistani man with supposed ties to Iran pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to hire a hitman to kill a U.S. official. Furthermore, the U.S. State Department recently offered a $20 million reward for information leading to the arrest of an alleged Iranian mastermind behind a plot to assassinate former National Security Advisor John Bolton.
These unfolding charges underscore heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran, with the Justice Department vowing to pursue justice against any individuals or organizations that threaten U.S. citizens or their allies. The Biden administration continues to coordinate with intelligence agencies to counter Iran’s activities and protect individuals critical of the Iranian government.
