Iran denies DOJ report of involvement in plot to assassinate Trump
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has vehemently denied the allegations made by the Department of Justice regarding a thwarted plot to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump. The report, released on Friday, claimed that an Iranian official instructed Farhad Shakeri to surveil and ultimately assassinate Trump. Shakeri allegedly received this task on October 7, 2024.
In response to these accusations, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei dismissed the claims as baseless and reiterated Iran’s commitment to using legitimate and legal means to protect the rights of its citizens. Baghaei suggested that these allegations are part of a larger conspiracy orchestrated by anti-Iranian forces to strain relations between the US and Iran.
The report also implicated two other individuals, Carlisle Rivera and Jonathon Loadholt, in a separate murder-for-hire scheme targeting an American of Iranian descent, identified as journalist Masih Alinejad. The DOJ report stated that Shakeri had tasked Rivera and Loadholt with surveilling and killing Alinejad for a sum of $100,000.
Attorney General Merrick Garland expressed outrage at the Iranian regime’s actions, emphasizing the US government’s commitment to protecting its citizens and national security. Shakeri, Rivera, and Loadholt now face charges of murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and money laundering conspiracy, each carrying significant prison sentences.
Prosecutors have also charged Shakeri with providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, violating sanctions against the Government of Iran, and conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. These charges could result in additional years of imprisonment for Shakeri.
The situation underscores the ongoing tensions between the US and Iran, with both countries taking firm stances on the issue. The allegations have sparked concerns about potential threats to national security and the safety of individuals critical of the Iranian regime. As the legal proceedings unfold, the international community will be closely monitoring the developments in this case.
It is crucial to approach this matter with caution and diligence, ensuring that justice is served while upholding the principles of transparency and accountability. The implications of these allegations extend beyond individual actors, highlighting the broader implications of state-sponsored threats and the need for robust international cooperation to address such challenges.
