Iran employs drug kingpins to carry out assassinations of critics and defectors abroad

Iranian Drug Dealer Foiled in Assassination Plot

An Iranian drug⁢ dealer,⁤ working on behalf of Iran’s security services, recently attempted to coordinate the assassination of a defector in Maryland, according to U.S. officials.

“Thanks to the skilled work of federal prosecutors and law enforcement agents, this murder-for-hire conspiracy was disrupted and the defendants will face justice,” stated U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger.

The Justice Department revealed the details of the plot in an indictment, naming Naji Sharifi-Zindashti as the coordinator based in Iran. The operation also involved​ a Canadian co-conspirator who is a member of the notorious Hell’s Angels Motorcycle Club. The indictment was released alongside⁢ economic‌ sanctions aimed at dismantling the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security network responsible for coordinating overseas​ attacks.

“The Iranian regime’s ongoing efforts to​ target dissidents and activists highlight‌ their deep insecurity and their desire to extend their domestic repression internationally,” said Treasury Department undersecretary Brian Nelson. “The United States,‍ along with our‌ international allies and partners, including the ‍United ⁤Kingdom, will continue to combat the Iranian regime’s transnational repression and will use all available tools​ to counter this threat, especially on U.S. soil.”

The United Kingdom has also joined forces in this crackdown,‍ following ⁤their recent disruption of a separate‍ plot to assassinate employees of Iran International, a media outlet based in the UK that openly criticizes the Tehran regime.

“The Iranian regime and the criminal gangs it supports pose an unacceptable⁣ threat to the security of the UK,” declared British Foreign Secretary David Cameron. “Today’s actions expose the roles of Iranian officials and criminal‌ gangs involved in activities⁤ aimed at undermining, silencing, and disrupting the democratic freedoms we cherish in the UK. The UK and US have sent a clear message – we will not tolerate this threat.”

U.S. officials have linked Sharif-Zindashti to two other operations in 2017 ‍and 2019, resulting in the murders ⁤of three Iranian dissidents in Turkey.

“Since the beginning of ⁤2022, the UK has responded to at least 15 credible​ threats and plots by the Iranian regime to kill‍ British or UK-based individuals,” stated Cameron’s team. “The regime has publicly called for the killing of these individuals and,⁢ in some cases, has detained and‌ harassed their families in Iran.”

What actions​ has the U.S. government taken in response to the foiled ⁣assassination plot and what⁤ will other countries’ response be in condemning Iran’s actions

Iran. The indictment claims that Sharifi-Zindashti was working for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a ⁤branch of⁢ the country’s security ​services.

According to the ⁤indictment, the‍ target of the assassination plot ⁤was an Iranian defector and activist who had been living in Maryland. The defector had been openly critical of the Iranian government and had become a thorn in their side, making him a prime target for retaliation.

The plan involved‍ recruiting individuals to carry out the assassination and providing ⁣them with the necessary resources. Sharifi-Zindashti allegedly reached out to an undercover agent, whom he believed to be a hitman,​ to carry out the ‍job. However, the agent was actually an informant working with U.S. law enforcement.

The ‌coordination between the informant and Sharifi-Zindashti allowed law enforcement to gather evidence against him and build a strong case. ⁣They were able to intercept communications, track financial transactions, and ​gather other crucial information that further revealed the depth of the plot.

The indictment also accuses the IRGC of providing financial ⁣support and resources ⁤to Sharifi-Zindashti for the purpose of carrying out the assassination. This further establishes the Iranian government’s involvement⁢ in ‍the plot.

U.S. officials have condemned the assassination attempt ⁤and called it a blatant violation of international norms. They have⁣ also emphasized the importance of holding those responsible accountable for their actions.

This ⁣incident serves as a reminder of the lengths to⁤ which the Iranian government will⁣ go to silence dissent and eliminate perceived threats. The fact that they would resort to coordinating assassinations on foreign soil demonstrates their disregard for national boundaries and the safety of individuals living outside their jurisdiction.

The ⁣foiling of this assassination plot is a testament to the dedication and effectiveness of U.S. law enforcement​ agencies‌ in ⁢protecting the safety and security of their citizens. It also highlights the close collaboration and information sharing between U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies that led to the successful disruption‌ of ⁤the ⁣conspiracy.

The U.S. government has ‍called on the international community to condemn Iran’s actions and hold⁢ them accountable for their involvement in ​this plot. It remains ⁤to be ⁣seen how other ⁣countries will respond to this incident and whether they will take any ​concrete measures against Iran.

This foiled assassination plot is a stark reminder of the threats posed by Iran ​and the need for‌ continued vigilance in combating their illicit activities. The international community must⁣ remain united in denouncing Iran’s actions and taking steps to prevent similar ​incidents in the future.

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