U.S. prosecutors have charged several individuals in connection with an alleged plot by Iran to assassinate former President Donald Trump. The plot was reportedly orchestrated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The motive was said to be retaliation for the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. Soleimani was killed in 2020 in a U.S. strike authorized by Trump.
The Department of Justice announced the charges on Friday. It stated that an Iranian national and two others were involved. The charges include conspiracy to commit murder, among others. Officials say the plot was foiled before any harm could be done. The investigation into the alleged plot was extensive and involved multiple U.S. agencies.
Federal prosecutors revealed that the accused individuals were acting on the orders of the Iranian military force. Authorities allege that the conspirators were planning to hire individuals within the U.S. to carry out the assassination. The plot also reportedly involved a financial incentive for those recruited to participate.
Court documents reveal that the Iranian national charged was in communication with others in Iran. They were allegedly discussing logistics and potential execution methods for the assassination. U.S. authorities intercepted these communications, which played a significant role in dismantling the plot.
The Justice Department emphasized the seriousness of the charges and the threat posed by foreign actors attempting to influence or harm U.S. political figures. Iran’s government has not yet released an official statement regarding the allegations.
The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran. Relations between the two nations have been strained since the U.S. withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018. The killing of Soleimani further escalated these tensions, leading to various retaliatory actions.