The US military announced on Wednesday that it had killed an Iranian official who headed a unit allegedly responsible for plotting to assassinate then-President-elect Donald Trump. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the operation during a news briefing at the Pentagon.
Key Takeaways
The US military has killed an Iranian official who led a unit allegedly responsible for plotting to assassinate then-President-elect Donald Trump. The operation was part of broader strikes against Iran, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirming the target's elimination.
- US military kills Iranian official linked to alleged assassination plot against Trump
- Operation conducted as part of wider strikes on Iran during 'Operation Epic Fury'
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirms the killing but does not name the individual
- Alleged plot involved Afghan national Farhad Shakeri and two American co-conspirators
- Tehran denies involvement in any assassination plots against US officials
Hegseth stated, "The leader of the unit who attempted to assassinate President Trump has been hunted down and killed." He emphasized that while this was not the primary focus of the ongoing military campaign against Iran, ensuring those responsible were targeted was a priority. The operation took place on Tuesday, though Hegseth did not disclose the location or the name of the individual.
In 2024, the US Justice Department charged an Iranian man, Farhad Shakeri, in connection with an alleged plot ordered by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to assassinate Trump. According to federal prosecutors, Shakeri was tasked with surveilling and ultimately assassinating Trump. Two American co-conspirators, Carlisle Rivera and Jonathan Loadholt, were also charged with murder-for-hire and other related offenses.
The broader military campaign against Iran, dubbed 'Operation Epic Fury,' has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. At least 787 people have been killed in Iran, including 165 students at an elementary school in Minab. Six American service members have also been killed in action, with 18 injured.
Tehran has consistently denied accusations of targeting Trump and other US officials. The Iranian government has characterized the US strikes as unjustified aggression and vowed retaliation. The situation remains tense, with ongoing exchanges of missile and drone attacks between the two countries.
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