Pakistani Man Found Guilty Of Plotting To Assassinate Donald Trump Over Soleimani Killing

A US federal court has found a Pakistani man guilty of planning to assassinate US President Donald Trump or other American leaders. Prosecutors said the plot was linked to retaliation for the 2020 US drone strike that killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani.

The accused, Asif Raza Merchant, was convicted on charges related to transnational terrorism and murder-for-hire after a trial in a federal court in Brooklyn, New York.

Alleged Plan to Hire a Hitman

According to US prosecutors, Merchant tried to hire a hitman to carry out the assassination of a senior US political figure or government official.

Investigators said he was acting as part of a broader revenge plan linked to the death of Qassem Soleimani, who headed Iran's overseas military operations under the Revolutionary Guards.

The prosecution told the court that Merchant had connections to Iran and was attempting to organise a contract killing inside the United States.

Background: Killing of Qassem Soleimani

The case is closely connected to the January 2020 US drone strike in Baghdad, which killed Qassem Soleimani, a powerful Iranian general.

Soleimani was widely considered one of the most influential military figures in Iran and led the Quds Force, responsible for Iran's operations abroad.

Following his death, several Iranian officials publicly vowed to seek revenge against the United States, and tensions between the two countries sharply increased.

Merchant's Testimony During the Trial

During the trial, Merchant claimed he did not willingly participate in the plot.
He told the court that he had been pressured into involvement to protect his family, who were living in Tehran, Iran. According to his testimony, he feared retaliation from members of the Revolutionary Guards if he refused.

Merchant also said he believed he would be arrested before any attack could actually take place.

He further stated that he was never directly ordered to kill a specific person. However, he said that one of his Iranian contacts mentioned the names of several American leaders during conversations about the alleged plan.

Among those names were:

• President Donald Trump
• Former President Joe Biden
• Former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley

Arrest in 2024 While Attempting to Leave the US

Authorities arrested Merchant on July 12, 2024, when he was preparing to leave the United States.

Investigators had already been monitoring his activities and believed he was actively attempting to arrange the assassination plan.

US officials earlier described the alleged operation as something "straight out of the Iranian regime's playbook," pointing to what they believe are state-linked tactics.

Possible Life Sentence

Merchant was found guilty on two major charges:

• Transnational terrorism
• Murder for hire

Following the conviction, prosecutors said a sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. If given the maximum punishment, Merchant could face life imprisonment.

Case Emerges Amid Rising US-Iran Tensions

The trial comes at a time of intense geopolitical tensions between the United States, Israel and Iran.

Washington has said its military actions aim to reduce threats related to Iran's nuclear and missile programmes, while Iran has accused the US and its allies of targeting its leadership and sovereignty.

The assassination plot case has further highlighted the ongoing hostility and security concerns linked to the aftermath of Soleimani's killing.