An Iranian national linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been charged in a murder-for-hire plot to assassinate former U.S. President Donald Trump, as well as an American journalist known for critiquing the Tehran regime, the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) announced on Friday. The alleged scheme also involved plans to target Israeli tourists in Sri Lanka.

Farhad Shakeri, 51, is accused of coordinating assassination and surveillance activities for the IRGC, employing a network of criminal associates to carry out these missions. Prosecutors say Shakeri, believed to be residing in Tehran, promised operatives a $100,000 payout to locate and kill a U.S. citizen of Iranian origin who has been outspoken against the Iranian government.

Two New York men, Carlisle Rivera, 49, of Brooklyn, and Jonathon Loadholt, 36, of Staten Island, have been charged in connection with the plot. Both were taken into custody and face multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire. According to court documents, Rivera and Loadholt were approached by Shakeri to surveil and eventually assassinate the targeted U.S. citizen.

A Network of International Plots

The charges also outline Shakeri’s wider operational aims, which included assassination plots against high-profile American and Israeli figures. Prosecutors allege that Shakeri provided his associates with detailed instructions on surveilling intended victims and executing the attacks. Among those targeted was former U.S. President Trump, who has been a vocal critic of Iran’s leadership, particularly during his administration when the U.S. imposed sweeping sanctions on the nation.

The plot reportedly extended beyond U.S. borders, with orders for Shakeri’s network to target Israeli tourists in Sri Lanka, further highlighting concerns over Iranian-backed terrorist activities abroad. Officials say this part of the plan underscores the IRGC’s longstanding interest in retaliatory actions against Israel.

A History of Criminal Ties

Shakeri’s criminal background in the U.S. dates back to 2008 when he was deported after serving time for a robbery conviction. Following his deportation, officials claim he became a more significant player within the IRGC’s covert operations network, which is known to leverage criminal elements for intelligence and assassination missions.

"Shakeri and his associates represent a continuing threat posed by foreign agents who exploit criminal networks to advance their government’s interests on U.S. soil," said DoJ officials in a statement. "This case sends a clear message: we will track and prosecute any threats against our citizens."

Legal Consequences and Investigation Ongoing

Shakeri, who remains at large in Tehran, faces multiple charges, including murder-for-hire and providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization. Meanwhile, Rivera and Loadholt are being held in New York as they await trial. Both men could face lengthy prison terms if convicted.

U.S. officials are working closely with international partners to monitor Iran’s use of criminal proxies for covert operations abroad. Authorities are hopeful that the ongoing investigation will further expose the network of operatives tied to Tehran.

This case highlights the lengths to which Iran’s intelligence apparatus will go to eliminate opponents and intimidate its critics globally, marking another chapter in escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington.