Pakistani national with Iran ties indicted in alleged 'murder for hire' plot on US politicians

The Justice Department has announced an indictment against a Pakistani national with ties to Iran in connection with an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate a U.S. politician or government official.

The department has identified the person as Asif Merchant, also known as Asif Raza Merchant, and said he is now in federal custody.

He was indicted Tuesday with attempting to commit an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries and murder-for-hire as part of a scheme to assassinate a U.S. politician or government official on American soil, the department said Wednesday.

"The Justice Department will not tolerate Iran’s efforts to target our country’s public officials and endanger our national security,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.  

The foiled plot reportedly included GOP presidential nominee former President Donald Trump and other U.S. politicians, including President Biden.

Merchant was arrested and initially charged in July and remains in federal custody.

U.S. Attorney Breon Peace, for the Eastern District of New York, said Merchant "orchestrated" the plot.

He spent time this spring in Iran, then came from Pakistan to the U.S., where he allegedly contacted a person he believed could assist him with the plot. However,  that person reported Merchant’s conduct to law enforcement and became a confidential source, Peace also said.

In mid-June, Merchant met in New York with the purported hitmen, who were in fact undercover U.S. law enforcement officers. 

He then began arranging ways to get $5,000 in cash to pay the undercover officers, the Justice Department also said.

If convicted, Merchant faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.