Pakistani Man Convicted in Plot to Assassinate U.S. Politician

Asif Merchant claimed he was acting on orders from Iran's Revolutionary Guard

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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A Pakistani business owner named Asif Merchant was convicted by a jury in Brooklyn, New York on terrorism and murder-for-hire charges for attempting to hire hitmen to kill a U.S. politician during the 2024 presidential campaign. Merchant claimed he was acting on orders from a contact in Iran's powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, but prosecutors argued he did not have a valid defense of acting under duress.

Why it matters

The case highlights concerns about Iran-backed plots on U.S. soil and the threat of political violence during election seasons. It also raises questions about how to handle individuals who claim they were coerced into carrying out terrorist activities to protect their families.

The details

Merchant, 47, acknowledged in court that he sought to hire assassins to kill a U.S. politician, though he claimed he was just going through the motions to protect his loved ones in Iran. Prosecutors said Merchant took concrete steps to enact the plan, including meeting with undercover FBI agents posing as hitmen, to whom he paid $5,000 in cash. Merchant was arrested on July 12, 2024, a day before an unrelated attempt on former President Trump's life in Pennsylvania.

  • Merchant met with a Revolutionary Guard contact about 3 years ago, who gave him the assassination assignment.
  • Merchant was arrested on July 12, 2024, a day before an unrelated attempt on former President Trump's life.

The players

Asif Merchant

A 47-year-old Pakistani business owner who was convicted of terrorism and murder-for-hire charges for attempting to hire hitmen to kill a U.S. politician.

Revolutionary Guard

Iran's powerful paramilitary force that Merchant claimed gave him the assassination assignment.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who was allegedly one of the targets Merchant's handler mentioned.

Joe Biden

The former U.S. president who was allegedly one of the targets Merchant's handler mentioned.

Nikki Haley

The former U.N. ambassador who was also a presidential candidate and allegedly one of the targets Merchant's handler mentioned.

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What they’re saying

“This man landed on American soil hoping to kill President Trump — instead, he was met with the might of American law enforcement.”

— Pam Bondi, U.S. Attorney General (taylorvilledailynews.com)

“I was going along with it.”

— Asif Merchant (taylorvilledailynews.com)

What’s next

Merchant will be sentenced at a later date and faces up to life in prison.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing threat of Iran-backed plots on U.S. soil and the challenges of handling individuals who claim they were coerced into carrying out terrorist activities to protect their families.