A Pakistani businessman accused of plotting to assassinate American politicians, including President Donald Trump, told a courtroom on Wednesday that Iran made him do it.
As the Iran war unfolded in the Mideast, Asif Merchant acknowledged in a U.S. court that he sought to put an assassination in motion during the 2024 presidential campaign — a plot that was quickly disrupted by American investigators before it had a chance to proceed.
HOLY CRAP: The Pakistani man on trial in Brooklyn admits Iran recruited him to assassinate President Trump at a rally.
He testified Iranian leaders gave him a sketch of a rally site, told him to hire hitmen, and even paid undercover FBI agents thousands thinking they were… pic.twitter.com/TKTgqHTbOl
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) March 7, 2026
He testified Iranian leaders gave him a sketch of a rally site, told him to hire hitmen, and even paid undercover FBI agents thousands thinking they were killers, all while writing plans on a hotel napkin.
He was arrested just before the Butler shooting and said Iran was behind that too, seeking revenge for Soleimani.