A father-of-five with ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps emerges as the key figure in a thwarted assassination attempt against Donald Trump.
According to Daily Mail, Farhad Shakeri, 51, admitted to orchestrating the plot during multiple FBI phone calls, revealing plans to target the president-elect and an Iranian-American journalist while remaining at large in Tehran.
The mastermind's identity came to light through exclusive photographs showing him with his American wife shortly after his 2008 deportation from the United States.
His involvement in the assassination scheme has sent shockwaves through his family, including his MAGA-supporting brother, who are now living in fear for their safety on American soil.
Shakeri's criminal history spans multiple continents, beginning with his 1994 conviction for robbery and kidnapping in New York. After serving 14 years of a 21-year sentence, he was deported to Afghanistan, subsequently moving between Dubai, Turkey, and Iran.
In 2019, Sri Lankan authorities arrested Shakeri in connection with a massive heroin seizure, demonstrating his involvement in international drug trafficking. Despite facing death row in Afghanistan, he managed to escape and eventually surfaced in Iran, where he connected with senior members of the Revolutionary Guard.
The plot took a significant turn when Shakeri received orders on October 7 to shift focus exclusively to Trump's assassination, coinciding with the anniversary of the Hamas attacks in Israel. Iranian officials provided assurances that funding would not be an issue for the operation.
Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating:
Few actors in the world pose as grave a threat to the national security of the United States as does Iran.
The investigation uncovered Shakeri's recruitment of two alleged hitmen, Carlisle Rivera and Jonathan Loadholt, who are now in US custody. The conspirators were offered substantial sums, including $500,000 for targeting Jewish businessmen and $100,000 for assassinating Iranian-American activist Masih Alinejad.
Shakeri's connection to Rivera originated during their shared time in prison, where Rivera was serving time for second-degree murder. Their collaboration extended to surveillance activities and detailed planning for multiple targets.
Iran's motivation for the assassination attempt stems from Trump's 2020 order to eliminate Qassem Soleimani, the leader of Iran's Quds Force. The plot marks the third attempt on Trump's life following a close call during a Pennsylvania election rally in July.
The current situation presents unique challenges for American authorities, as Iran's lack of an extradition agreement with the United States leaves Shakeri beyond their immediate reach. This limitation highlights the complex nature of international law enforcement cooperation.
The investigation continues to develop as authorities work to uncover additional connections and prevent future attempts, while Shakeri's family maintains their distance from his activities, emphasizing their peaceful nature and separation from his radical actions.
