A Pakistani national has been convicted in the United States over an alleged plot to assassinate President Donald Trump and other prominent American political figures. According to the US Department of Justice (DOJ), the plan was reportedly linked to Iranian authorities, although Iran has denied the accusations.
Court Verdict and Charges
Asif Merchant, a Pakistani citizen, was found guilty on Friday by a US federal court in Brooklyn, New York. Prosecutors accused him of attempting to recruit individuals in the United States to carry out assassinations of senior American political leaders.
The DOJ said Merchant was convicted of “murder for hire and attempting to commit an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries.” The charges stem from allegations that he worked with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to organise attacks on American officials.
Alleged Motive Behind the Plot
US prosecutors said the alleged plan was intended as retaliation for the 2020 killing of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani. Soleimani, a top commander of Iran’s Quds Force within the IRGC, was killed in a US drone strike in Baghdad ordered during Donald Trump’s presidency.
Authorities claim Merchant attempted to arrange the assassination plot in 2024 by recruiting people within the United States.
Alleged Targets
According to federal prosecutors, the alleged targets included President Donald Trump, then-President Joe Biden, and former US ambassador and Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, who competed against Trump in the 2024 Republican primaries.
However, Merchant told the court that he had never been given instructions to assassinate any specific individual. He said his Iranian handler mentioned three potential targets during conversations that took place in Tehran.
Defendant’s Statement in Court
During the trial, Merchant admitted that he had joined the scheme involving members of the IRGC but claimed he did so unwillingly. He told the court he feared for the safety of his family living in Tehran and felt pressured to cooperate in order to protect them.
Plot Foiled Before Any Attack
US law enforcement officials said the alleged plan was stopped before any attack could take place. According to the Department of Justice, a person Merchant contacted in April 2024 to help carry out the plot reported his activities to authorities and later became a confidential informant.
Merchant was subsequently arrested later that year and initially pleaded not guilty.
Iran Denies Involvement
Iran has rejected the accusations that it was behind any attempt to target Trump or other American officials. Tehran has repeatedly denied involvement in such plots.
The trial began last week in Brooklyn, just days before tensions between the United States, Israel and Iran escalated further after a new round of military strikes in the region. The case has drawn international attention due to its potential implications for US-Iran relations and global security.
