An Iranian operative was found guilty by a federal jury for plotting political murders on American soil, including an attempt to target President Donald Trump, after a sting operation and cooperative source exposed the scheme. The conviction underscores a direct threat from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and highlights a coordinated law enforcement response that stopped the plot before it could be carried out. Key testimony revealed training, travel, coded communications and a cash payment intended to seal the contract killing, and prosecutors say a life sentence is possible. This verdict is being framed as a decisive win for security and the rule of law.
The man convicted, identified at trial as Asif Merchant, is accused of working for Iran’s IRGC and of entering the United States in April 2024 to recruit criminals for theft, disruption and assassination. He allegedly used his contacts to try to assemble teams capable of stealing sensitive materials and carrying out violent political operations. Investigators say Merchant had prior training in Pakistan and returned repeatedly to Iran to meet with a handler who directed the operation.
Merchant’s scheme began to unravel when a New York acquaintance reported the approach to authorities and agreed to cooperate, feeding crucial details to investigators. Prosecutors say Merchant described his aims plainly in meetings, even using a “finger gun” gesture while discussing the assassination. That language and behavior allowed the investigation to move from tip to a controlled operation that produced hard evidence.
Undercover officers posed as hitmen and met with Merchant, who reportedly asked for three services: stealing documents, staging protests and killing a “political person.” He allegedly promised to deliver the identity later and communicated through coded messages once he left the country. The trove of testimony showed he researched rallies and security plans and relayed that information back to his handler.
Prosecutors say Merchant delivered an advance payment of $5,000 at a June 21 meeting, a moment the undercover operatives described as sealing what he believed was a contract killing. After getting the payment, one undercover officer told Merchant, “Now we’re bonded,” and authorities arrested him as he prepared to leave the country on July 12, 2024. The arrest interrupted a plot that federal officials repeatedly described as foreign-sponsored terrorism aimed at American leaders.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized the gravity of the threat and the effectiveness of the response, saying, “This man landed on American soil hoping to kill President Trump — instead, he was met with the might of American law enforcement,” and adding, “The Department of Justice will remain ever-vigilant to protect Americans, prosecute terrorists, and halt acts of terrorism before they happen.” That sentiment was echoed by FBI leadership, with Kash Patel warning the verdict highlights ongoing threats from the Iranian regime and stressing prevention and detection as priorities. “Merchant tried to hire someone to kill a politician or a U.S. government official, but the FBI and our partners stopped that deadly plot,” Patel said. “Let this verdict serve as a reminder that the FBI is committed to detecting such threats and preventing acts of violence.”
Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg framed the scheme as an attack on American governance and legal order, stating, “Merchant entered the United States intending to commit acts of terror and ultimately to facilitate the assassination of U.S. government officials, including President Trump,” and adding, “His plot struck at the heart of our democracy and our commitment to the rule of law.” Merchant now faces charges that carry the possibility of life in prison if convicted on all counts. Republicans and national security conservatives see the verdict as proof that strong law enforcement and vigilant intelligence collection save lives and deter hostile states.
