Manhattan federal prosecutors have revealed that the Iranian government ordered an operative to assassinate former President Donald Trump prior to the 2024 US presidential election. According to an unsealed criminal complaint, the suspect, Farhad Shakeri, was charged with murder-for-hire and material support for terrorism in connection with the plot, directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Shakeri, who is believed to be in Iran, remains at large.
The IRGC reportedly instructed Shakeri to create a plan for Trump’s assassination within one week in October. However, Shakeri indicated he did not intend to move forward with the plot within the IRGC’s timeframe, possibly due to logistical challenges. Shakeri has a history of criminal activity in the US and reportedly developed a network of associates during his time in New York state prisons, later assisting the IRGC with surveillance and other operations.
This incident is the latest in a series of assassination threats involving Iran and Trump, a primary target for Tehran following his authorization of a drone strike in 2020 that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. The Iranian government has since vowed retaliation, with propaganda and alleged international plots underscoring these threats.
In August, Brooklyn prosecutors charged a Pakistani national who allegedly collaborated with Iran to plot the assassination of high-profile US officials. Additionally, two unrelated domestic incidents occurred over the summer involving armed Americans attempting to target Trump. One individual was killed by Secret Service, while another was arrested in Florida.
Manhattan US Attorney Damian Williams condemned the foreign interference, stating, “This has to stop.” FBI Director Chris Wray added that Iran’s collaboration with criminals to target Americans domestically is “intolerable.”
