Iranian Intelligence Operative Convicted in Plot to Assassinate U.S. Officials

A federal jury has convicted Asif Merchant, identified as a trained operative of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), of murder for hire and attempting to commit an act of terrorism that would have crossed national boundaries. Merchant admitted during his trial that the IRGC dispatched him to the United States with directives to arrange political assassinations and acquire sensitive documents. The federal investigation successfully thwarted Merchant’s plot before any attacks could be carried out.

Merchant arrived in the U.S. in April 2024 and subsequently met with individuals in New York in June, whom he believed were hired assassins but were, in fact, undercover U.S. law enforcement officers. He was arrested in July 2024 before he could depart the country. The conviction carries a potential sentence of life in prison.

Evidence presented during the trial indicated that Merchant began his association with the IRGC in Pakistan in late 2022 or early 2023, where he received training in espionage techniques, including surveillance avoidance. He was later sent to the U.S. in 2023 to identify potential IRGC recruits who could remain in the country. Merchant acknowledged during testimony that he was aware the IRGC is designated as a terrorist organization. He made multiple trips to Iran during this period to meet with his IRGC handler.

In 2024, Merchant was reportedly sent back to the United States with a new set of objectives: to recruit individuals associated with organized crime to steal documents, orchestrate a protest, and arrange the assassination of one of three specific U.S. government officials or politicians. Merchant reportedly approached an acquaintance in New York, Nadeem Ali, who he thought could assist him. However, Ali instead alerted law enforcement and became a confidential informant for the investigation.

During a meeting with Ali in early June, Merchant detailed his assassination plan, making a “finger gun” gesture and stating that the opportunity was related to a killing. He indicated that the intended targets would be in the United States. Merchant instructed Ali to arrange meetings with individuals he could hire to carry out these actions, outlining a multi-faceted scheme that included stealing documents or USB drives from a target’s residence, planning a protest, and committing a murder. Merchant also inquired about the methods Ali would use to kill a target, considering the presence of extensive security. He explained that the assassination would take place after his departure from the U.S., with communication occurring via coded messages. Merchant confirmed to Ali that he had discussed the plan with his IRGC handler, who had instructed him to finalize the plan and leave the country.

In mid-June, Merchant met with undercover U.S. law enforcement officers whom he believed to be hitmen. He informed them that he required three services: the theft of documents, the organization of protests at political rallies, and the assassination of a “political person.” Merchant stated that the hitmen would receive specific instructions on who to kill after his departure from the United States. During this period, Merchant conducted internet searches for the locations of political rallies and sent updates on security protocols at these events to his IRGC handler.

Merchant then began making arrangements to obtain $5,000 in cash to provide as an advance payment to the undercover officers for the assassination, a sum he eventually received with assistance from an individual overseas. On June 21, Merchant met with the undercover officers in New York and made the $5,000 payment. Following the payment, one of the undercover officers stated they were now “bonded,” to which Merchant agreed. The officer then indicated they were moving forward with the plan, and Merchant responded affirmatively. Merchant had made flight arrangements to depart the U.S. on July 12, 2024, but was apprehended by law enforcement agents before he could leave the country.

The investigation involved the FBI Field Offices in Dallas, Houston, Tampa, Boston, Washington D.C., Chicago, and Albany, with assistance from the New York City Police Department, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The prosecution is being handled by the National Security & Cybercrime Section of the Eastern District of New York.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs

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