A Pakistani man with alleged ties to Iran has been charged in the United States for plotting to assassinate a U.S. politician or government officials, the Department of Justice announced on Tuesday.
The suspect, identified as Asif Merchant, traveled to New York in April to hire hitmen for the plot. According to authorities, he paid $5,000 as an advance to individuals he believed were assassins, who turned out to be undercover law enforcement officers. Merchant was arrested last month as he attempted to leave the country, effectively preventing the plot from being carried out.
Federal investigators believe that former President Donald Trump and other current and former U.S. government officials were among the intended targets. Trump, who authorized the drone strike on Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in 2020, was wounded by a 20-year-old gunman during a recent rally in Pennsylvania. However, officials confirmed that the shooting was unrelated to the plot and not connected to any Iranian threats.
Merchant was detained on July 12, a day before the Pennsylvania rally. Prosecutors allege that he instructed the supposed hitmen to execute the killings in August or September, following his departure from the U.S.
Merchant, a Pakistani national, claimed his family resides in Iran, and the Department of Justice noted his frequent travels to Iran, Syria, and Iraq. U.S. officials have long expressed concerns about Iran seeking revenge for Soleimani’s killing.
Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the ongoing efforts to counter Iranian threats, stating, “For years, the Justice Department has been working aggressively to counter Iran’s brazen and unrelenting efforts to retaliate against American public officials for the killing of Iranian General Soleimani.”
Garland further stated, “The Department of Justice will not relent in pursuing those who attempt to carry out Iran’s deadly plots against American citizens.” He emphasized, “We will not tolerate attempts by any government to threaten American public officials and endanger national security.”