Who is Asif Merchant? Trump assassination plot by Iran-linked Pakistani foiled

The convicted man has been identified as Asif Merchant, who was found guilty of murder-for-hire and attempting to commit an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries, the Justice Department said.

According to prosecutors, Merchant was a trained operative of Iran’s global terrorist force, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

“Merchant admitted at trial that the IRGC sent him to the United States to arrange for political assassinations and steal documents, but law enforcement foiled the plot before any attack could be carried out,” the Justice Department said in a statement.

Merchant entered the United States in April 2024. In June 2024, he met individuals he believed to be hired killers in New York, who were actually undercover US law enforcement officers. He was arrested before leaving the country in July 2024.

If sentenced on all counts, Merchant could face up to life in prison.

“This man landed on American soil hoping to kill President Trump — instead, he was met with the might of American law enforcement,” said US Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “The Department of Justice will remain ever‑vigilant to protect Americans, prosecute terrorists, and stop acts of terrorism before they happen.”

Kash Patel, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, said Merchant attempted to hire individuals to kill a US government official but the plan was thwarted by investigators.

“This was not the first attempt by Iran to harm US citizens on American soil; the other efforts also failed,” Patel said. “Let this verdict serve as a reminder that the FBI is committed to detecting such threats and preventing acts of violence.”

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said Merchant’s alleged plot targeted US democratic institutions.

“Merchant, a trained IRGC operative, entered the United States intending to commit acts of terror and facilitate the assassination of US government officials, including President Trump,” Eisenberg said. “The National Security Division remains committed to defending the nation from the threat of terrorism.”

According to trial testimony, Merchant began working for the IRGC in Pakistan in late 2022 or early 2023, where he received training in operational tradecraft, including counter‑surveillance techniques.

Later in 2023, he was sent to the United States to identify potential IRGC recruits who could remain in the country. Merchant testified that he knew the IRGC was a designated terrorist organization. During this period, he travelled multiple times to Iran to meet his handler.

In 2024, Merchant returned to the United States with a new mission: to recruit individuals he described as “mafia members” to steal documents, stage protests, and arrange the killing of one of three unnamed US government officials.

Merchant approached an acquaintance in New York, Nadeem Ali, believing he could assist with the plan. Instead, Ali informed law enforcement and became a confidential source.

During a meeting in early June, Merchant explained the assassination plot and used a “finger gun” gesture to signal that the opportunity he was offering involved a killing.

He outlined three possible operations- stealing documents or USB drives from a target’s home, organising protests at political rallies and assassinating a politician or government official

Merchant told Ali the target would be located within the United States and asked him to arrange meetings with individuals who could carry out the crimes.

He also discussed possible assassination scenarios and asked Ali how the target might be killed despite heavy security.

Merchant planned for the killing to occur after he left the United States, communicating instructions from overseas using code words.

In mid‑June, Merchant met with two men he believed to be hired killers — actually undercover officers — in New York. He told them he required assistance with stealing documents, organising protests at political rallies, and killing a “political person.”

Merchant said the identity of the target would be revealed only after he left the country.

During the same period, he conducted internet searches on political rally locations and sent reports on security arrangements to his IRGC handler.

Merchant later arranged to obtain $5,000 in cash as an advance payment for the assassination, with assistance from an individual overseas.

On June 21, he met the undercover officers in New York and handed over the $5,000.

After receiving the payment, one officer said, “Now we’re bonded.” Merchant replied, “Yes.”

The officer then added, “Now we know we’re going forward. We’re doing this.”

“Yes, absolutely,” Merchant responded.