FBI Reveals Iran’s Attempt to Hire Hit Men to Assassinate US Government Officials
During a congressional testimony, FBI Director Christopher Wray raised concerns about violent extremists in the US drawing inspiration from Hamas terror attacks in Israel. He also disclosed that Iran had made efforts to hire hit men for assassinations. Wray emphasized that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has significantly increased the threat of attacks against Americans on US soil.
FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies during a House Judiciary Committee hearing about oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Capitol Hill in Washington on July 12, 2023. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Furthermore, Wray highlighted the risk of foreign Hamas terrorists conducting attacks in the US, especially after the US expressed strong support for Israel. He then revealed that Iran, not just Hamas, is a major concern for US law enforcement due to its involvement in assassination plots.
According to Wray, Iran, as the world’s largest state-sponsor of terrorism, has directly or indirectly attempted to assassinate dissidents and high-ranking US government officials. Although specific details were not provided, the Justice Department previously uncovered a murder-for-hire plot involving an Iranian national targeting former national security adviser John Bolton.
The suspect, Shahram Poursafi, allegedly a member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, offered a substantial sum of money to individuals in the US to carry out the assassination. The plot was foiled, but it highlighted Iran’s history of targeting individuals on US soil.
Then-U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton answers journalists’ questions after his meeting with Belarus President in Minsk, on Aug. 29, 2019. (Sergei Gapon/AFP via Getty Images)
Larissa Knapp, executive assistant director of the FBI’s National Security Branch, affirmed Iran’s history of plotting assassinations in the US. The plot against Bolton was likely in retaliation for the US-ordered strike that killed Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in 2020.
While Iranian officials denied the allegations, they issued a veiled threat. The revelation of these assassination plots has prompted US lawmakers to take action.
End to Iran ‘Appeasement’?
Senator Joni Ernst introduced the PUNISH Act, aiming to halt the Biden administration’s “appeasement” of Iran. The act would prevent the US from re-entering the Iran Nuclear Agreement until Iran refrains from planning any assassination attempts on Americans for five years.
Reacting to Wray’s remarks, Senator Ernst emphasized the need to hold Iran accountable for its actions and ensure maximum pressure from the US. Other lawmakers have also called for a freeze on Iranian funds that were previously released.
Who was the Iranian politician assassinated?
On 3 January 2020, Qasem Soleimani, an Iranian major general, was targeted and killed by a U.S. drone strike near the Baghdad International Airport in Iraq while he was on his way to meet Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi. Onal security advisor John Bolton. This revelation highlights the extent of Iran’s aggression and its willingness to resort to extreme measures to achieve its objectives.
The FBI’s disclosure about Iran’s attempts to hire hit men for assassinations is deeply concerning. It underscores the urgent need for heightened security measures and vigilance to protect US government officials and American citizens. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has created a volatile environment where terrorist organizations and state-sponsored actors are actively seeking opportunities to carry out attacks against the US.
The connection between Hamas attacks in Israel and potential violence in the US is alarming. Wray’s testimony reveals that violent extremists in the US are drawing inspiration from these terrorist acts. This presents a significant challenge for law enforcement agencies in identifying and neutralizing potential threats within the country.
The threat posed by foreign terrorists, particularly those affiliated with Hamas, has increased due to the strong support expressed by the US for Israel. As tensions escalate in the Middle East, there is a higher risk of retaliation and attempts to target American interests and officials. It is imperative that the US remains proactive in countering these threats and takes the necessary steps to protect its national security.
Iran’s involvement in assassination plots is particularly troubling. As the world’s largest state-sponsor of terrorism, Iran has consistently demonstrated its willingness to resort to violence to further its agenda. The targeting of dissidents and high-ranking US government officials highlights Iran’s disregard for international norms and its willingness to destabilize other nations.
The details surrounding the murder-for-hire plot involving John Bolton serve as a stark reminder of the importance of robust intelligence and security measures. It is critical that law enforcement agencies work together to uncover and disrupt such plots before they can be executed. The FBI’s efforts to uncover and disclose these assassination attempts demonstrate the agency’s commitment to safeguarding the American people.
In conclusion, the FBI’s revelation about Iran’s attempts to hire hit men for assassinations is deeply concerning. It highlights the increased threat of attacks against US government officials and American citizens, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The US must remain vigilant and take proactive measures to counter these threats, safeguard its national security, and protect its citizens from terrorism.
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