Iran Plotted to Assassinate Trump: US Authorities Unveil Details of Scheme
In a shocking revelation, US federal authorities have exposed a chilling assassination plot targeting former President Donald Trump, allegedly orchestrated by Iranian operatives. The plan, unveiled on Friday, involved recruiting criminal assets to monitor and potentially kill Trump on American soil. This alarming development underscores the ongoing tensions between the US and Iran, highlighting a dangerous escalation in targeted threats against American figures.
The Justice Department’s indictment of Farhad Shakeri, an alleged Iranian government operative, sheds light on the operation’s disturbing details. According to court filings, Shakeri received orders from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard to organize surveillance on Trump and prepare for a possible assassination attempt. The instructions came with an urgent seven-day deadline, indicating the urgency and seriousness of the plot.
Authorities revealed that Shakeri’s handlers believed the operation would be easier if Trump lost the 2020 presidential election, expecting a potential delay if he remained in office. This suggests that the plot was directly linked to the political climate surrounding the US election.
Shakeri, however, remains at large in Iran, while two other suspects linked to separate Iranian-backed assassination schemes have been apprehended. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the real and present danger posed by foreign adversaries seeking to destabilize the US.
The Justice Department’s investigation reveals a broader pattern of Iranian attempts to disrupt the US political landscape, utilizing both physical threats and cyber operations. A previous incident involved Iranian hackers attempting to distribute stolen Trump campaign data to Joe Biden’s team. Intelligence sources confirmed that Biden’s camp did not respond to these phishing attempts.
This assassination plot is a direct consequence of the heightened tensions between the US and Iran following the high-profile killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani under Trump’s orders. Iranian leaders pledged retribution, leading to an intensification of hostile operations against US figures.
Attorney General Merrick Garland, addressing these developments, emphasized that Iran’s provocative actions remain a grave concern for US national security. This incident serves as a stark warning of the real and present dangers posed by adversaries seeking to undermine American interests and threaten the lives of its leaders.