The U.S. Department of Justice has charged Afghan national Farhad Shakeri in connection with an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump. Shakeri, believed to be in Iran, was reportedly tasked by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard to develop a plan to kill Trump. Two other men are facing charges for plotting additional assassinations tied to this scheme.
Plot to Assassinate Trump Unveiled
In a significant development, the Justice Department announced on Friday that it had unsealed an indictment against Farhad Shakeri, 51, who faces charges for allegedly plotting an assassination on behalf of Iranian officials. The case alleges that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard directed Shakeri to create a plan for surveilling and ultimately killing Trump. Shakeri remains at large in Iran, which has categorically dismissed the accusations as baseless.
A Network of Associates Involved
The indictment includes two more individuals, Carlisle Rivera, 49, and Jonathon Loadholt, 36, both from New York. These men allegedly collaborated with Shakeri in other targeted killings, including an American journalist and prominent Jewish businesspeople. Both Rivera and Loadholt are currently detained following their court appearance on Thursday. The journalist, identified on social media as Masih Alinejad, confirmed the FBI’s arrest of two men who allegedly appeared at her home with intentions to kill.
Historical Context of the Charges
Shakeri, described by authorities as an Afghan national with previous criminal history in the U.S., allegedly has longstanding ties to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. Prosecutors allege that Shakeri’s recent discussions with his Iranian contacts also included plans for additional attacks on U.S. soil, as well as a proposed attack on Israeli tourists in Sri Lanka.
Iranian Dismissal of Claims
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, issued a statement rejecting these allegations, calling them “politically motivated.” The spokesperson claimed similar accusations had surfaced previously and later proven false.
The charges represent a critical escalation in U.S.-Iranian tensions. The Department of Justice has pledged to pursue these cases with full force, citing concerns for both national and international security.
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