Pakistani National Indicted for Foiled Plot to Assassinate U.S. Officials

Asif Merchant, with ties to Iran, faces life in prison if convicted of terrorism and murder-for-hire charges.

Merchant was arrested in July 2024 and is currently in federal custody.
The plot aimed to assassinate U.S. politicians and government officials on American soil.
Merchant coordinated with a confidential source and undercover agents to arrange the assassination.
The Justice Department and FBI emphasized the threat posed by foreign-directed plots against U.S. officials.
Merchant allegedly planned to leave the U.S. before the assassination, but was arrested before his departure.