A recently unsealed indictment in Manhattan federal court reveals an alleged Iranian-directed scheme to assassinate former U.S. President Donald Trump, implicating two men in New York and an Iranian national.
The suspects, Iranian citizen Farhad Shakeri along with Carlisle Rivera and Jonathan Loadholt from New York, face charges of conspiracy and murder-for-hire in connection with the plot, Fox News reported.
According to federal prosecutors, Shakeri received orders from an official in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to monitor and ultimately kill Trump as part of a larger campaign targeting U.S. officials.
The indictment details that Shakeri, upon learning about the mission’s financial demands, was reassured by the IRGC that funds were readily available, indicating strong financial backing for the plot.
According to prosecutors, Shakeri’s IRGC contact urged him to prioritize developing a plan for the assassination. The IRGC reportedly set a strict deadline of seven days for Shakeri to complete the scheme, although it was suggested that the plot could be postponed if Trump lost the election, making it easier to execute after the campaign.
Beyond the alleged plot to kill Trump, the indictment includes a disturbing second directive involving Shakeri. Prosecutors allege he was instructed to organize a mass shooting targeting Israeli nationals in Sri Lanka. This prompted both the U.S. and Israeli governments to issue travel advisories for the island nation in October, underscoring the potential reach of Iranian operations.
Authorities arrested Rivera and Loadholt, who were presented in court on Thursday and are being held pending trial, per U.S. Magistrate Judge Jennifer Willis’s order.
Shakeri, however, remains at large, believed to be in Iran and beyond the reach of U.S. authorities. The IRGC’s involvement in this case reflects ongoing concerns over Iran’s influence in orchestrating plots on U.S. soil.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams addressed the case on Friday, emphasizing the Department of Justice’s commitment to countering foreign threats against Americans. “These charges send a powerful message to those who aim to harm our citizens,” Williams said. He added that the U.S. would continue pursuing justice, regardless of where the perpetrators are located.
The indictment is a reminder of Iran’s continued efforts to target both American citizens and allies abroad. Security experts have pointed to the IRGC’s history of involvement in international plots and its growing presence in potential operations against high-profile figures.
Written with the assistance of artificial intelligence.