Unsealed documents on Friday revealed a thwarted plot by the Iranian government to hire hitmen to assassinate former U.S. President Donald Trump, just one month before the election, Dailymail reports
Three men, including two residing in New York, face charges in the m3rder-for-hire scheme aimed at Trump, allegedly as revenge for the 2020 k!lling of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.
One suspect, Farhad Shakeri, is described by the FBI as an “asset” of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and is now believed to be hiding in Tehran.
Shakeri, along with Carlisle Rivera, 49, and Jonathan Loadholt, 36, is also accused of targeting an Iranian-American activist and of being offered $500,000 to kill two Jewish businessmen in the U.S.
According to the documents, Iran assured the hired men they would commit extensive funds to carry out the assassinations.
The IRGC reportedly tasked Shakeri with monitoring and planning Trump’s assassination as a response to Soleimani’s death by U.S. drone strike.
Trump, who has faced Iranian threats since Soleimani’s death, requested increased security during his campaign, including military aircraft support and additional Secret Service protection.
In September, he warned that if re-elected, he would respond to any Iranian threats with severe retaliation.
As per the FBI, Shakeri discussed with agents in recorded calls that he did not intend to meet the initial timeframe given to carry out the attack.
He was then directed to delay the plan, as Iran expected Trump might lose the election, which could leave him more vulnerable without presidential-level security.
Previously deported to Iran in 2008 after a 14-year sentence in New York for robbery, Shakeri leveraged his network of prison contacts to aid in the plot.
The Department of Justice documents disclosed chilling text messages and a cache of weapons the suspects had prepared for the planned attacks.
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