A Pakistani man with alleged links to Iran was convicted Friday of plotting to assassinate US officials, including President Donald Trump.
Prosecutors said Asif Raza Merchant intended to hire a hitman to target a US politician or government official in retaliation for the US killing of Revolutionary Guards commander Qassem Soleimani in January 2020.
The trial took place in a federal court in Brooklyn, where evidence showed Merchant was involved in planning attacks against prominent figures. Merchant testified that he was coerced into the plot to protect his family in Tehran from the Revolutionary Guards.
He said he was not ordered to kill a specific individual, but an Iranian contact had mentioned three people: President Trump, former President Joe Biden, and former UN ambassador Nikki Haley.
Merchant was convicted on charges of transnational terrorism and murder-for-hire. A US prosecutor spokesman confirmed his sentencing date is yet to be scheduled. Merchant could face life imprisonment.
Authorities described the alleged plot as resembling the Iranian regime’s playbook, with close ties to Tehran. US Officials said the case highlights ongoing threats posed by Iran’s military and intelligence networks.
The conviction comes amid US and Israeli operations against Iran, which have reportedly targeted high-ranking officials, including Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Merchant was arrested on July 12, 2024, as he planned to leave the United States. US Officials emphasized that the case demonstrates the government’s commitment to preventing attacks against its representatives.
Experts say the trial highlights the importance of vigilance and intelligence coordination in protecting US officials from international threats, especially those linked to hostile foreign entities.
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The verdict also underscores the legal system’s role in countering terrorism and maintaining security for high-profile targets in the United States.
