Pakistani Convicted of Planning to Kill Trump in Retaliation for Qassem Soleimani's Death

SadaNews - The U.S. Department of Justice announced that a court in the United States convicted a Pakistani on Friday of plotting to kill President Donald Trump and other prominent American politicians two years ago at the behest of Iran.

Asif Merchant was accused of attempting to recruit individuals in the United States as part of a plan targeting Trump and others in revenge for Washington's killing of Iranian military leader Qassem Soleimani in 2020 while Trump was in his first term.

Federal prosecutors noted that the targets in the 2024 conspiracy included President Joe Biden and Nikki Haley, who challenged Trump that year for the Republican Party's presidential nomination.

The Justice Department stated in a press release that Merchant was convicted of "murder for hire and attempted to commit a transnational terrorist act" at the direction of Iranian authorities.

The trial commenced in Brooklyn, New York, last week just days before Trump issued an order to launch an attack in coordination with Israel against Iran, which expanded into the largest war the region has seen in years.

Merchant admitted to being part of the conspiracy with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, but he testified that he did so against his will to protect his family in Tehran.

Merchant added that he was never asked to kill a specific person, but the Iranian who was in charge of dealing with him mentioned three individuals during conversations in the Iranian capital.

Media outlets reported that he told the jury on Wednesday that he did not voluntarily cooperate with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in planning the conspiracy, and the "New York Times" quoted him as telling the court, "I did not want to do this willingly."

Prosecutors refuted Merchant's claims, attributing them to "the lack of evidence supporting any coercion or real threat," according to a letter sent to the judge in the case on Tuesday.

Law enforcement authorities thwarted the conspiracy before any attack occurred. The Justice Department stated that an individual whom Merchant contacted in April 2024 for assistance with the conspiracy reported on his activities and became a confidential informant. Merchant was arrested and denied the charges that year.

The Revolutionary Guard plays a central role in Iran, combining military and economic power with an intelligence network. Tehran has denied allegations of targeting Trump or other American officials.