November 8, 2024
The U.S. Justice Department announced it has disrupted a plot by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump just weeks before the 2024 election. A federal criminal complaint, filed in New York, alleges that an Iranian national, Farhad Shakeri, was ordered by a senior IRGC official to “focus on surveilling, and ultimately, assassinating” Trump.
A Plot Uncovered
Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a statement highlighting the threat posed by the Iranian regime, describing the charges against Shakeri as part of Iran’s ongoing efforts to target Americans and endanger U.S. national security. “The Justice Department has charged an asset of the Iranian regime who was tasked by the regime to direct a network of criminal associates to further Iran’s assassination plots against its targets, including President-elect Donald Trump,” said Garland.
Federal authorities report that Shakeri, 51, remains at large in Iran. According to the criminal complaint, Shakeri immigrated to the U.S. as a child but was deported in 2008 after serving a 14-year prison sentence for robbery.
Planned Attack Details
Court documents reveal that on October 7, 2024, Shakeri was directed by an unnamed senior IRGC official to provide a plan for assassinating Trump, referred to as “Victim-4” in the filings. Shakeri stated that the IRGC official instructed him to either submit a plan within seven days or delay the assassination until after the election if Trump lost, as this would potentially simplify the operation.
Shakeri is also accused of being tasked with the surveillance and targeting of two Jewish American citizens in New York, for which he was reportedly offered $500,000. In addition, Shakeri allegedly received assignments to target Israeli tourists in Sri Lanka.
Further Attempts to Silence Critics
In addition to the plot against Trump, federal prosecutors revealed charges against Carlisle Rivera, 49, and Jonathon Loadholt, 36, both of New York. The two men were allegedly recruited to assist in the surveillance and murder of a prominent U.S. journalist of Iranian origin. A source close to the investigation identified the journalist as Masih Alinejad, a well-known critic of the Iranian government.
Court records indicate that Rivera and Loadholt, working under Shakeri’s guidance, conducted extensive surveillance of Alinejad, even taking photographs of her at scheduled public events. The DOJ alleges that Shakeri provided instructions on the best methods for “taking care” of Alinejad without compromising the mission.
Iran’s Continuing Threats
The Justice Department stated that Iran has been targeting Americans and allies worldwide in attempts to silence dissidents and take revenge for the 2020 assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani by a U.S. drone strike. In its announcement, the DOJ cited Iran’s longstanding pattern of targeting perceived adversaries of the regime, including through kidnapping and assassination plots.
Charges and Consequences
Shakeri, Rivera, and Loadholt now face multiple charges, including murder-for-hire and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, which could lead to a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison if convicted.
This foiled plot marks one of the most significant threats to a U.S. president-elect in recent history. The case underscores ongoing tensions with Iran and the risks posed to high-profile American figures by foreign adversaries.
Sources:
- DOJ Criminal Complaint (link)
- Statements by Attorney General Merrick Garland (link)
- Additional details from the FBI affidavit (link)
