On Friday, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) charged Farhad Shakeri, a 51-year-old Iranian citizen, in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate former President Donald Trump. According to DOJ statements, Shakeri was directed by the Iranian government to orchestrate and oversee a network of criminal associates to carry out the assassination plot before the upcoming U.S. presidential election.
The DOJ alleges that Shakeri acted as an asset of the Iranian regime, specifically linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The plot is purportedly part of Iran’s continued retaliation against the U.S. for the 2020 assassination of IRGC commander Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad. The Iranian regime has long vowed to avenge Soleimani’s death, and DOJ officials claim that Shakeri’s mission aligns with this objective.
According to the FBI Director Christopher Wray, this case highlights “Iran’s brazen attempts to target U.S. citizens, including President-elect Donald Trump, other government leaders, and dissidents critical of Tehran’s regime.” The FBI is committed, he added, to dismantling Iranian influence on U.S. soil and thwarting attempts to harm American citizens and leaders.
Additional Arrests and Allegations
In connection with this case, two other individuals—Carlisle Rivera, also known as “Pop,” a 49-year-old from Brooklyn, New York, and Jonathon Loadholt, a 36-year-old from Staten Island, New York—have been charged. The DOJ claims that Rivera and Loadholt were recruited into Shakeri’s network, which was intended to eliminate targets that Tehran considers high-priority. These targets reportedly include a U.S.-based journalist of Iranian origin known for criticizing Iran’s government.
The DOJ alleges that Shakeri, who served time in the United States for a robbery conviction and was deported in 2008, reestablished criminal connections upon his deportation. In recent years, he reportedly leveraged these connections to form a network of operatives capable of carrying out surveillance and assassinations on behalf of Iran’s IRGC.
Shakeri remains at large and is believed to be residing in Iran. Meanwhile, Rivera and Loadholt were arrested this week in Brooklyn and Staten Island, respectively. Both made initial court appearances in the Southern District of New York, where they were detained without bail pending trial. Their alleged involvement, according to court documents, signifies a broad network of criminal actors tapped by Shakeri to carry out surveillance and potentially lethal attacks on U.S. soil.
National Security Concerns
Attorney General Merrick Garland has underscored the grave threat posed by Iran’s actions, asserting that few other entities present as severe a risk to U.S. national security. “Actors directed by the Government of Iran continue to target our citizens, including President-elect Trump, on U.S. soil and abroad,” Garland said, stressing that these actions endanger both public safety and the security of U.S. leadership.
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U.S. Attorney Damian Williams of the Southern District of New York echoed this sentiment, highlighting Iran’s strategy of targeting high-profile figures and critics of the Tehran regime. This alleged plot against Trump, in particular, indicates that Iran’s stance against the U.S. has escalated as the presidential election approaches.
Historical Context and Retaliation
The DOJ’s statement linked the alleged plot to Iran’s ongoing pursuit of vengeance for the assassination of Soleimani, who led the elite Qods Force within the IRGC. His death remains a point of tension in U.S.-Iran relations, with Iranian officials vowing to avenge his death. This case serves as a reminder of the long-standing animosity between the two nations, fueled by both political and ideological conflicts.
Recent Security Incidents Involving Trump
The DOJ’s announcement follows a recent incident at a Donald Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where gunfire reportedly erupted. On July 13, Trump was quickly escorted off the stage by U.S. Secret Service agents as a precautionary measure. While officials have not confirmed a direct link between the Butler incident and the DOJ’s current investigation, the DOJ’s revelations underscore the heightened security risks surrounding the former president as he campaigns for re-election.
As the 2024 election season intensifies, U.S. officials are closely monitoring potential threats from foreign adversaries. The DOJ remains committed to countering foreign influence and threats on American soil, especially those targeting prominent U.S. citizens and leaders.
