DOJ Charges Three in Alleged Iranian Plot to Kill Donald Trump
The US Department of Justice on Friday charged three individuals in an alleged Iranian murder-for-hire plot targeting both former Pres. Donald Trump and Iranian-American activist Masih Alinejad....
Facts
- The US Department of Justice on Friday charged three individuals in an alleged Iranian murder-for-hire plot targeting both former Pres. Donald Trump and Iranian-American activist Masih Alinejad.[1][2]
- Farhad Shakeri, an accused Iranian government asset, was allegedly instructed by Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) on Oct. 7 to develop an assassination plan against Trump within seven days. Shakeri, an Afghan national, is still at large in Iran.[3]
- Two New York residents, Jonathan Loadholt and Carlisle Rivera, were also charged with allegedly helping Shakeri plot to kill Alinejad. The duo were reportedly paid $2.6K each for monitoring her Brooklyn home in March.[4]
- According to prosecutors, the alleged plotters negotiated an extra $100K fee to complete the assassination, with communications showing detailed planning and surveillance of Alinejad's daily routines and home layout.[4][2]
- In September, Shakeri told the FBI that an IRGC official had instructed him 'to put aside his other efforts' and 'focus on surveilling, and, ultimately, assassinating former President of the United States Donald J. Trump.'[5]
- However, Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei on Saturday dismissed allegations of Tehran's involvement in the alleged plot to assassinate Trump, calling the claims 'completely unfounded.'[6]
Sources: [1]NPR Online News, [2]United States Department of Justice, [3]CNN, [4]Daily Mail, [5]ABC News and [6]AA.
Narratives
- Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Associated Press. Iran poses a serious threat to American national security through brazen assassination attempts on US soil. These plots demonstrate Iran's ongoing vendetta against Trump for the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani and its determination to silence critics abroad. The sophisticated nature of these operations shows the regime's commitment to eliminating perceived threats.
- Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by RT. This is a repulsive conspiracy orchestrated by anti-Iranian factions to further complicate matters between Washington and Tehran. Iran doesn't conduct secret surveillance on foreign lands; it uses all legitimate and legal means to defend the country's rights and dignity, both domestically and internationally.
