There are many people who want to see Donald Trump’s demise. They can’t stand that he’s going to be back in power.
And the Secret Service is on red alert after what this foreign enemy was caught saying about Trump.
In a recent interview with NBC News, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian denied allegations that his government had attempted to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump, calling such claims part of a broader campaign to incite fear of Iran. “This is another one of those schemes that Israel and other countries are designing to promote Iranophobia,” Pezeshkian stated. “Iran has never attempted to nor does it plan to assassinate anyone. At least as far as I know.”
Pezeshkian’s assertions contradict evidence presented by U.S. authorities, who allege that Iran made at least two attempts last year to target Trump. When asked directly by NBC’s Lester Holt if there had ever been a plan to assassinate Trump, Pezeshkian flatly replied, “None whatsoever.”
Evidence of Assassination Plots
Despite Pezeshkian’s denials, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has revealed significant details about Iran’s alleged involvement in assassination schemes. In November, an indictment was unsealed against Farhad Shakeri, a 51-year-old Iranian national.
The charges include m*rder-for-hire, conspiracy, and providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, among others. Shakeri, who remains at large and is believed to be in Iran, allegedly worked with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a designated terrorist organization, to orchestrate assassination plots targeting multiple individuals, including Trump.
“Shakeri is an [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] asset residing in Tehran, Iran,” prosecutors stated. The indictment describes how Shakeri leveraged connections with criminal associates in the U.S. to recruit operatives for surveillance and planned attacks. Authorities claim Shakeri was instructed by the IRGC to prioritize a plot to k*ll Trump, pausing efforts to target other individuals.
Federal officials revealed intercepted communications in which Shakeri was directed to finalize a plan within a week. When Shakeri expressed concerns about the cost, an IRGC official reassured him, saying the organization was willing to spend whatever was necessary. The plan was reportedly delayed as the IRGC anticipated it would be easier to target Trump if he lost the election.
Broader Plot Uncovered
The investigation extended beyond Shakeri, leading to the arrests of two other individuals in New York. Carlisle Rivera, 49, of Brooklyn, and Jonathon Loadholt, 36, of Staten Island, were charged for their alleged roles in related schemes to target an Iranian dissident and two Jewish Americans.
FBI Director Christopher Wray condemned Iran’s actions, stating, “The charges announced today expose Iran’s continued brazen attempts to target U.S. citizens, including President-elect Donald Trump, other government leaders and dissidents who criticize the regime in Tehran. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps — a designated foreign terrorist organization — has been conspiring with criminals and hitmen to target and gun down Americans on U.S. soil and that simply won’t be tolerated.”
The Second Attempt: A Pakistani Operative
A separate plot involved Asif Merchant, a 46-year-old Pakistani national with ties to Iran. According to the DOJ, Merchant entered the U.S. in April 2024 with plans to carry out assassinations, including Trump.
Merchant reportedly collaborated with a confidential FBI source to outline his scheme, which involved stealing sensitive documents, organizing a protest, and k*lling a high-profile political figure.
Merchant met with undercover law enforcement officers in New York in June, providing a $5,000 down payment for their cooperation in the plan. He was arrested on July 12, 2024, the day he intended to leave the country.
U.S. Officials Respond
Attorney General Merrick Garland underscored the gravity of the allegations, stating, “There are few actors in the world that pose as grave a threat to the national security of the United States as does Iran.” He emphasized that the DOJ would continue to hold individuals accountable for acts of terrorism.
The revelations illustrate a stark contradiction between Iran’s official statements and the evidence presented by U.S. authorities. While Pezeshkian maintains that Iran has no involvement in assassination plots, the detailed indictments and arrests paint a different picture—one that highlights the ongoing threat posed by the Iranian regime and its affiliates.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
