In a shocking turn of events, the FBI has launched an urgent manhunt for an Iranian operative accused of plotting assassinations against high-profile U.S. officials.
The FBI's Miami field office issued a public alert on Friday, seeking information on Majid Dastjani Farahani, an Iranian intelligence operative suspected of recruiting individuals in the U.S. for lethal operations targeting current and former American officials.
The manhunt for Farahani comes amidst allegations of his involvement in plotting to assassinate Mike Pompeo and other U.S. officials. The FBI believes Farahani has been actively recruiting individuals within the United States to carry out these lethal operations.
Farahani's recruitment efforts are believed to be driven by a desire for revenge following the death of Qasem Soleimani, an Iranian general assassinated by the Trump administration in 2020. U.S. officials suspect that Farahani's targets include not only Pompeo but also Brian Hook, who served as Trump's special envoy for Iran.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Farahani is known to frequently travel between Iran and Venezuela, according to a Most Wanted notice issued by the FBI. The Iranian operative's ability to move between these two countries has raised concerns about the potential for collaboration and the extension of Iran's reach in the Western Hemisphere.
The Department of Justice has previously dealt with cases involving Iranian operatives attempting to work with criminal organizations in the region. In 2011, an alleged Iranian operative was convicted of trying to collaborate with Mexican drug cartels to assassinate Saudi Arabia's former ambassador to Washington, Adel al-Jubeir.
The severity of the threat posed by Farahani and other Iranian operatives has prompted the U.S. government to provide around-the-clock security for officials believed to be on Tehran's hit list. Both Mike Pompeo and Brian Hook are currently under enhanced protection due to the credibility of the threats against their lives.
The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Farahani in December, highlighting the government's recognition of the danger he poses. The ongoing manhunt and the FBI's public alert underscore the urgency of apprehending Farahani and thwarting any potential attacks on U.S. soil.
The current manhunt for Farahani is part of a larger pattern of Iranian plots against U.S. interests and officials. In January, the Department of Justice indicted an Iranian gang leader for allegedly collaborating with members of the Hells Angels to kill Iranian dissidents in Maryland.
Furthermore, in 2022, the DoJ indicted members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp for plotting to murder John Bolton, who served as Trump's national security adviser.
The ongoing manhunt for Majid Dastjani Farahani serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by Iran and the need for continued vigilance in safeguarding the lives of U.S. officials and citizens.
The FBI's manhunt for Majid Dastjani Farahani highlights the grave threat posed by Iranian operatives seeking to carry out assassinations on U.S. soil. Farahani's alleged plots against high-profile figures like Mike Pompeo and Brian Hook underscore the need for robust security measures and a coordinated effort to apprehend him.
The Iranian operative's connections to Venezuela and the history of Iranian plots against U.S. interests further emphasize the complexity of the situation. As the manhunt continues, the U.S. government must remain vigilant and employ all available resources to protect its officials and citizens from these ongoing threats.
