Alleged plot to avenge Soleimani’s death

U.S. prosecutors announced on Friday that an Iranian man is facing charges over an alleged assassination plot against President-elect Donald Trump, reportedly orchestrated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in retaliation for the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. Soleimani was killed in 2020 in a U.S. airstrike authorized by then President Trump, according to the Justice Department.

Farhad Shakeri, a 51-year-old Afghan national believed to be based in Iran, was allegedly “tasked” by the IRGC to develop a plan to kill Trump following his November 5 election win over Vice President Kamala Harris, as detailed by the department.

Additional charges and a broader network

Alongside Shakeri, two New York residents, Carlisle Rivera and Jonathon Loadholt, were charged with separate but related plots, which included surveillance and an alleged murder plan targeting an Iranian-American dissident based in New York. The dissident, not named in court documents, is believed to be journalist Masih Alinejad, a vocal critic of Iran’s government and a repeated target in prior attempted attacks.

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FBI Director Christopher Wray described the charges as revealing “Iran’s continued brazen attempts to target U.S. citizens, including President-elect Donald Trump, government officials, and critics of the regime.”

“Money’s not an issue”: Details from FBI investigation

According to the Justice Department, Shakeri was allegedly contacted by an IRGC official in September to organize the plot against Trump. In recorded conversations with FBI agents, Shakeri claimed he discussed the high costs involved with his IRGC contact, who reportedly responded, “Money’s not an issue.” Authorities say Shakeri engaged with the FBI, believing it might lead to a sentence reduction for an imprisoned associate in the United States.

Previous assassination attempts

This year, Trump has reportedly faced two other assassination attempts, including a shooting incident at a campaign rally. The FBI’s investigation into the recent plot highlights concerns over Iran’s methods, including the use of U.S.-based associates to conduct surveillance and targeted actions against prominent U.S. divs and dissidents.

Rivera and Loadholt, now in U.S. custody, appeared in a New York court on Thursday to face charges, while Shakeri remains in Iran. The Justice Department continues to pursue investigations into potential networks and threats related to the IRGC’s operations beyond Iran’s borders.