An Afghan national, Farhad Shakeri, faces US charges for allegedly scheming, under Iranian direction, to assassinate Donald Trump before his election. The accusations arise amidst a backdrop of heightened tensions between the US and Iran, with Iranian officials denying the claims as unfounded.
US Charges Afghan National Over Alleged Iranian Assassination Plot Against Trump
US Charges Afghan National Over Alleged Iranian Assassination Plot Against Trump
The federal indictment against an Afghan man highlights tensions between the US and Iran amid ongoing geopolitical strife and assassination claims.
In a significant development, the US government has indicted Farhad Shakeri, a 51-year-old Afghan national, regarding an alleged plot orchestrated by Iran's Revolutionary Guard aimed at assassinating Donald Trump prior to the 2020 presidential election. The Department of Justice, which unveiled the indictment on Friday, claims Shakeri was instructed to devise a plan to surveil and ultimately kill Trump.
Shakeri, who is currently believed to be residing in Iran, has not been arrested. The Iranian government has categorically dismissed the allegations as “completely baseless,” citing similar past claims that proved unfounded. The indictment also mentions that a network of associates, including two men from New York, was recruited for the assassination efforts. These individuals, Carlisle Rivera and Jonathon Loadholt, appeared in a Manhattan court and were ordered to remain in custody as they await trial.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland commented on the indictment, framing it as evidence of ongoing threats stemming from the Iranian regime towards U.S. targets, including Trump himself. Recent events have suggested a growing concern over potential violence against Trump, illustrated by two incidents this year where assailants targeted him during public appearances.
Details within the indictment reveal that Shakeri was originally set a seven-day timeframe to formulate an assassination scheme, a target he later claimed was unrealistic. According to prosecutors, Iranian officials suggested postponing the plot until after the election, anticipating a Trump defeat.
In addition to targeting Trump, the indictment outlines Shakeri's alleged efforts to orchestrate the murder of an unnamed American journalist critical of Iran, promising associates a reward for carrying out the attack. The indictment also alleges the Iranian regime sought after two Jewish Americans known for their pro-Israel stances and considered a mass shooting of Israeli tourists in Sri Lanka.
The gravity of the allegations has put additional strain on U.S.-Iran relations, with critics fearing such accusations could exacerbate already volatile interactions. Meanwhile, affected parties, including the threatened journalist Masih Alinejad, continue to advocate for their rights to safety and freedom of expression amidst such threats.
Shakeri, who is currently believed to be residing in Iran, has not been arrested. The Iranian government has categorically dismissed the allegations as “completely baseless,” citing similar past claims that proved unfounded. The indictment also mentions that a network of associates, including two men from New York, was recruited for the assassination efforts. These individuals, Carlisle Rivera and Jonathon Loadholt, appeared in a Manhattan court and were ordered to remain in custody as they await trial.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland commented on the indictment, framing it as evidence of ongoing threats stemming from the Iranian regime towards U.S. targets, including Trump himself. Recent events have suggested a growing concern over potential violence against Trump, illustrated by two incidents this year where assailants targeted him during public appearances.
Details within the indictment reveal that Shakeri was originally set a seven-day timeframe to formulate an assassination scheme, a target he later claimed was unrealistic. According to prosecutors, Iranian officials suggested postponing the plot until after the election, anticipating a Trump defeat.
In addition to targeting Trump, the indictment outlines Shakeri's alleged efforts to orchestrate the murder of an unnamed American journalist critical of Iran, promising associates a reward for carrying out the attack. The indictment also alleges the Iranian regime sought after two Jewish Americans known for their pro-Israel stances and considered a mass shooting of Israeli tourists in Sri Lanka.
The gravity of the allegations has put additional strain on U.S.-Iran relations, with critics fearing such accusations could exacerbate already volatile interactions. Meanwhile, affected parties, including the threatened journalist Masih Alinejad, continue to advocate for their rights to safety and freedom of expression amidst such threats.
