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The Iran Ledger

A public accountability record of the Islamic Republic of Iran

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All cases Plot on U.S. politicians

Section 03 Iran's Long Arm

2024 · United States · Murder-for-hire plot · New York

Plot to Hire Killers for U.S. Politicians

A Pakistani man was charged with traveling to New York to hire hitmen for a politician or U.S. officials; the hitmen were undercover officers. A jury convicted him in March 2026.

A handwritten list on a folded slip of paper inside an open wallet
The handwritten note with code words that agents found in Merchant's wallet on or about July 12, 2024, according to the complaint. ⁠Photo: FBI, in the complaint, United States v. Merchant, E.D.N.Y. 24-mj-467, para. 33, p. 13.

Iran's Role, in the Government's Words

“Merchant was a trained operative of the Iranian government’s global terrorist force, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).”

U.S. Department of Justice Iranian Intelligence Agent Convicted of Terrorism and Murder for Hire in Connection with Foiled Plot to Assassinate U.S. Politicians and Government Officials, press release, March 6, 2026, para. 1, justice.gov.

People Charged

Targets

  • a politician or U.S. government officials

Private people are described, never named. A target is named only if a public figure who has spoken publicly about the plot.