Federal authorities have charged Asif Raza Merchant, a Pakistani national with alleged ties to Iran, in a plot to assassinate U.S. government officials, including former President Donald Trump.
Merchant’s plan, part of an alleged retaliation for the 2020 killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, was foiled by undercover FBI agents posing as hitmen.
“For years, the Justice Department has been working aggressively to counter Iran’s brazen and unrelenting efforts to retaliate against American public officials for the killing of Iranian General Soleimani,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.
Although court documents do not specify who the intended targets were and indicate that Merchant planned to identify his targets later in the summer, sources revealed that former President Trump was likely one of the potential victims.
Merchant, 46, arrived in the United States from Pakistan in April 2024 after spending two weeks in Iran. According to U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York, Merchant sought to hire hitmen to carry out the assassinations.
The FBI first learned of Merchant’s intentions when he contacted an individual he believed could assist in hiring hitmen. This individual turned out to be a confidential informant who immediately reported Merchant’s plans to law enforcement.
FBI Director Christopher Wray noted that the murder-for-hire plot is “straight out of the Iranian playbook,” emphasizing the ongoing threat posed by Iran’s efforts to retaliate against U.S. officials.
Merchant’s plan involved more than just assassination. He discussed various criminal activities, including theft and staging protests as distractions. He made a “finger gun” gesture when outlining his plans, confirming that the attacks would be “ongoing” rather than a one-time event. During his meetings with undercover agents, Merchant sketched out possible assassination scenarios on napkins and quizzed the agents on how they would execute the killings.
The plot was uncovered thanks to the confidential informant who reported Merchant’s activities. An undercover operation was quickly set up, and Merchant met with undercover agents multiple times, detailing his plans and making payments to ensure the plot moved forward. Merchant provided $5,000 in advance to the agents, whom he believed were hitmen.
Merchant’s arrest came as he was preparing to leave the U.S. on July 12, 2024. The timing of his arrest was critical, as federal authorities believed that the assassination could have occurred as early as late August or early September. According to court documents, Merchant had coordinated with an unidentified party overseas, who directed him to finalize the plans before leaving the country.
The indictment raised significant concerns about the safety of former President Trump and other U.S. officials. The Secret Service increased Trump’s security detail following the exposure of Merchant’s plot. However, the plot is not connected to the separate assassination attempt on Trump by Thomas Crooks in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, which occurred just a day after Merchant’s arrest.
Attorney General Garland emphasized the Justice Department’s commitment to countering such threats, stating, “The Justice Department will spare no resource to disrupt and hold accountable those who would seek to carry out Iran’s lethal plotting against American citizens.”
Merchant’s family situation, revealed during the investigation, added another layer to the case. He has two wives and children living in both Iran and Pakistan, indicating his deep ties to the region. One of his homes is in Tehran, Iran, further complicating the geopolitical implications of the plot.
