Three individuals face serious charges related to a series of Iran-linked assassination plots, including one targeting former U.S. President Donald Trump as an act of retribution for the killing of Qassem Soleimani, the former commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force, according to a criminal complaint unsealed by the U.S. Department of Justice. The suspects, identified as Farhad Shakeri, Carlisle Rivera, and Jonathan Loadholt, face murder-for-hire charges. Rivera and Loadholt are in custody, while Shakeri, described by the FBI as an “asset” of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), is believed to be residing in Tehran.
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Assassination Plot Directed by the IRGC
The IRGC allegedly directed Shakeri to conduct surveillance and plan an assassination attempt on Trump as retribution for the 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed Soleimani in Baghdad. This high-profile operation reportedly involved Shakeri coordinating with Rivera and Loadholt, who were his associates from a prior incarceration in the United States. According to Attorney General Merrick Garland, this development underscores the grave threat posed by Iran to U.S. national security, with the Justice Department working to thwart Iran’s influence and protect its targets, including prominent U.S. and Iranian-American figures.
Targeted Activist and U.S.-Based Jewish Americans
Among the intended targets was an Iranian-American activist in Brooklyn, widely believed to be Masih Alinejad. Known for her outspoken criticism of the Iranian government and her advocacy for human rights, Alinejad has previously faced threats from Iran. She recently shared on social media her shock at being informed by the FBI about her inclusion in this plot. The IRGC’s plans reportedly extended to include attacks on Jewish Americans in New York City and Israeli citizens abroad, with Shakeri promised $500,000 to assassinate these individuals.
The IRGC allegedly instructed Shakeri to prioritize the surveillance and assassination of Trump, even after the initial costs were raised. According to the complaint, an IRGC official assured Shakeri that funding would not be a concern, stating, “the money’s not an issue,” as resources had already been heavily invested in the plot.
Timeline and Financial Details of the Plot
In the weeks leading up to the plan, Shakeri told FBI informants that his IRGC handler pressed for a viable plan to execute Trump’s assassination within seven days. If the operation could not be accomplished in that timeframe, the IRGC intended to postpone the attempt until after the upcoming election, reasoning that if Trump lost, assassinating him would be more feasible after he left office. Additionally, the IRGC allegedly directed Shakeri to prepare plans to target other U.S. and Israeli citizens on U.S. soil and in locations like Sri Lanka.
“This Has to Stop”
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams emphasized the seriousness of these threats in a statement, denouncing Iran’s persistent targeting of American citizens. “Today’s charges are another message to those who continue in their efforts — we will remain unrelenting in our pursuit of bad actors, no matter where they reside, and will stop at nothing to bring to justice those who harm our safety and security,” he stated, reinforcing the DOJ’s commitment to countering threats from Iran’s operatives.
DOJ’s Commitment to National Security
The unsealed complaint reveals the extent of Iran’s efforts to leverage its connections and resources to threaten high-profile individuals in the United States. Through these charges, the Department of Justice sends a clear message that it will continue to combat foreign plots that endanger American citizens and those residing in the U.S.
