Pakistani Man Claims Iranian Agents Forced Him to Plot Assassination of Trump, Biden

A Pakistani national accused of plotting to assassinate prominent US political leaders has claimed in court that Iranian intelligence operatives recruited and pressured him into the alleged plan. The accused man told jurors that threats against his family forced him to cooperate with individuals linked to Iran.

The case has drawn significant international attention as it involves alleged plans targeting former US President Donald Trump, former President Joe Biden, and former US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley.

Accused Claims Family Was Threatened

The accused, identified as Asif Merchant, appeared in a federal courtroom in Brooklyn where he testified about the alleged plot. During his testimony, Merchant said he had “no other option” but to follow instructions from individuals he claimed were connected to Iranian intelligence.

According to his statement in court, the pressure intensified after threats were allegedly made against his family members. Merchant told the jury that the safety of his relatives left him feeling compelled to cooperate.

The 47-year-old defendant insisted that he did not willingly pursue the assassination plan and believed that authorities would eventually arrest him before any crime could take place.

Alleged Plot to Target US Political Figures

Prosecutors allege that Merchant attempted to hire individuals to carry out assassinations of prominent US leaders. The targets allegedly included Donald Trump, Joe Biden and Nikki Haley.

Merchant reportedly offered USD 5,000 to two men whom he believed were professional contract killers. However, those individuals were actually undercover agents working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The meeting between Merchant and the undercover agents reportedly took place at a motel in Queens in June 2024. Surveillance footage presented in court showed Merchant discussing the alleged assassination plan and identifying a potential target.

Investigators believe that the Republican politician referenced in the recorded conversation was Donald Trump.

Connection to Iranian Operatives

Merchant claimed that his involvement with Iranian contacts began earlier when he allegedly helped move money intended to bypass international sanctions. He told the court that he initially cooperated with Iranian handlers between late 2022 and early 2023.

According to his testimony, a man he identified as Mehrdad Yousef later instructed him to travel to the United States and carry out more serious assignments. Merchant alleged that Yousef was connected to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Merchant claimed that the alleged handler pressured him into cooperating and even appeared outside his residence during meetings while carrying a weapon.

He told the court that the handler later assigned him the mission of organising an assassination attempt and obtaining certain documents.

Defendant Says He Expected to Be Arrested

During testimony, Merchant argued that he never expected the plan to succeed. He told the jury that the amount he offered for the alleged assassination was extremely small and unlikely to persuade professional criminals.

Merchant acknowledged that the USD 5,000 payment was unrealistic for a murder-for-hire operation. He suggested that he anticipated authorities would eventually discover the plan.

The defendant also told the court that he hoped revealing the plot to US authorities could eventually help him secure legal residency in the United States.

Serious Charges and Possible Sentence

Merchant has pleaded not guilty to charges including terrorism and murder-for-hire. Prosecutors argue that the evidence, including surveillance recordings and communications, shows he actively attempted to organise the assassination plan.

If convicted, the accused could face life imprisonment under US federal law.

The case continues to attract global attention due to the involvement of high-profile political figures and allegations of international intelligence networks operating behind the scenes. Court proceedings are expected to continue as prosecutors conduct further questioning and cross-examination of the defendant.