Asif Raza Merchant, a Pakistani national allegedly connected to Iran, has been charged by US federal authorities in a scheme to assassinate US government officials, including former President Donald Trump. Merchant is believed to have planned this as retribution for the 2020 killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.
Undercover FBI agents, posing as hitmen, thwarted Merchant’s plan. Although court documents do not reveal the specific targets, sources indicate that Merchant intended to identify them later in the summer, and former President Trump was reportedly on the list of potential victims.
“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,” noted Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.
Merchant, aged 46, came to the United States from Pakistan in April 2024, after a two-week stay in Iran. According to U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York, Merchant attempted to hire hitmen to conduct the assassinations.
Merchant’s intentions were first uncovered by the FBI when he reached out to an individual he believed could aid in hiring hitmen. This individual, a confidential informant, promptly brought Merchant’s plans to the attention of law enforcement.
FBI Director Christopher Wray described the murder-for-hire scheme as “straight out of the Iranian playbook,” highlighting the continued threat from Iran’s efforts to retaliate against U.S. officials.
Merchant’s schemes involved more than assassination. He proposed various criminal activities, including theft and staging protests for diversions. He used a “finger gun” gesture when discussing his plans, indicating that the assaults would be “ongoing.” Merchant sketched out possible assassination scenarios on napkins and asked the undercover agents how they would carry out the killings during their meetings.
The conspiracy was exposed due to a confidential informant who reported Merchant’s activities. An undercover operation swiftly followed, with Merchant meeting with undercover agents on multiple occasions, outlining his plans and making payments to ensure the plot’s progression. Merchant handed over $5,000 in advance to the agents, believing them to be hitmen.
Merchant was apprehended on July 12, 2024, as he prepared to exit the U.S. The timing was crucial, as federal authorities believed that the assassination could have taken place as early as late August or early September. Court documents reveal that Merchant coordinated with an unidentified overseas party, who directed him to finalize the plans before leaving the U.S.
The indictment raised serious concerns about the safety of former President Trump and other U.S. officials. Trump’s security detail was increased by the Secret Service following the revelation of Merchant’s plot. However, this scheme is unrelated to the separate assassination attempt on Trump by Thomas Crooks in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, which happened just one day after Merchant’s arrest.
Attorney General Garland underscored 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.”
During the investigation, it was revealed that Merchant has two wives and children residing in both Iran and Pakistan, further suggesting his strong connections to the region. He also owns a home in Tehran, Iran, adding to the geopolitical complexity of the case.
