Pakistani convicted of plotting to kill Trump over death of Iran commander - Reuters
Pakistani convicted of plotting to kill Trump over death of Iran commander Reuters
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Key People
No people linked to this story
Locations
All Coverage
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMivAFBVV95cUxORDV1aTFlVnRSUVpiNGVyeE94UTd1cFd2SmdBZGhDYzA1U0hITnVjRFhDOHBFa2hneFduWkFlVmltX0oyX3NEdmRJNmJQRmR3VVlRVE9ZMXZMbWVXYXY0ZU12bS1uTEI4RWlCbXNLdGJZZHZOMThzazFXUm1BaEZYQ3JKejR6bWF4SUY5VnFGTFllRE1FM2dzYktZd1Zwd2Rfai1ieU5vV2tXbVFpWGZIcWdDd01CQlVXT29CSw?oc=5" target="_blank">Pakistani convicted of plotting to kill Trump over death of Iran commander</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
Asif Merchant, a Pakistani businessman, was convicted in New York on terrorism and murder-for-hire charges for attempting to orchestrate the assassination of a U.S. political figure during the 2024 presidential campaign.
Asif Merchant was convicted of 'murder for hire and attempting to commit an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries,' directed by the Iranian authorities, the US Department of Justice said in a statement.
Investigators secretly recorded their meetings. Prosecutors said Merchant told the supposed assassins he needed services that could include killing 'some political person' and handed them USD 5,000 in cash during a meeting in a parked car in Manhattan.
Prosecutors argued that even after U.S. immigration agents stopped him at Houston’s airport in April 2024, searched his belongings and questioned him about trips to Iran, Merchant continued with the alleged plot.
A Pakistani businessman, Asif Merchant, was convicted in New York on terrorism and murder-for-hire charges for attempting to orchestrate the assassination of a U.S. political figure during the 2024 presidential campaign. He claimed he was acting on orders from Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, though Tehran has denied involvement.
Asif Merchant, a Pakistani national, was convicted in the U.S. for attempting to hire hitmen to kill a U.S. politician, allegedly under orders from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. The plot was thwarted before any attack occurred.
Asif Merchant was convicted of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump and other U.S. politicians in retaliation for the killing of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in 2020.
Asif Merchant, a Pakistani businessman, is on trial in a New York federal court for attempting to orchestrate a political assassination plot on behalf of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. According to his testimony, potential targets included Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and Nikki Haley. Merchant claimed he acted under duress, fearing for the safety of his relatives in Iran after being approached by a Revolutionary Guard intelligence operative.
Similar Stories
Related coverage based on topic and tags
Iran executes man for intelligence cooperation with Israel, news agency says - Reuters
Iran executes man for intelligence cooperation with Israel, news agency says Reuters
May 26, 2026 at 08:26 AMTrump says meeting Friday to make final decision on deal with Iran - Reuters
Trump says meeting Friday to make final decision on deal with Iran Reuters
May 29, 2026 at 03:08 PMIran and US trade air strikes after Trump dismisses report of Hormuz deal - Reuters
Iran and US trade air strikes after Trump dismisses report of Hormuz deal Reuters
May 28, 2026 at 04:25 AMNetanyahu admits difficulty influencing Trump decisions on Iran, sources say - Reuters
Netanyahu admits difficulty influencing Trump decisions on Iran, sources say Reuters
May 25, 2026 at 10:20 AMAustrian court sentences Syrian to life in prison for deadly knife attack - Reuters
Austrian court sentences Syrian to life in prison for deadly knife attack Reuters
May 27, 2026 at 08:43 PMIsrael says it killed Hamas' new armed wing chief in Gaza - Reuters
Israel says it killed Hamas' new armed wing chief in Gaza Reuters
May 27, 2026 at 11:00 AM