Pakistani man on trial in New York over alleged Iran-linked assassination plot

The trial began this week of a Pakistani national accused by US prosecutors of plotting political assassinations on American soil, including a potential attempt against former President Donald Trump , in an alleged scheme with links to Iranian interests.

Asif Merchant, 47 , faces life imprisonment if convicted on terrorism charges. Proceedings opened Wednesday in a federal court in Brooklyn, where prosecutors said Merchant travelled to New York in April 2024 to recruit individuals he believed would carry out targeted killings during the run-up to the 2024 US presidential election .

Authorities clarified that this case concerns a distinct assassination plot uncovered through an FBI sting operation and is separate from other threats previously reported against Trump. According to court filings cited by The New York Times, Merchant first met a man who later alerted authorities and became a confidential informant. Prosecutors say Merchant then paid a $5,000 advance to two men he believed were hired assassins, who were in fact undercover FBI agents.

Although Merchant did not initially name a specific target, investigators said potential targets included senior US political figures , among them Trump. Prosecutors told jurors that Merchant sketched his plan on a hotel napkin , using objects to represent the intended target, nearby crowds and surrounding buildings where the killing would occur.

While Pakistan and Iran have historically maintained strained relations , prosecutors argue Merchant’s alleged connection to Iran arose from personal travel and religious networks , not official state coordination. Merchant frequently travelled between Pakistan and Iran, where he maintained separate families. Legal analysts note such cross-border ties can make individuals vulnerable to recruitment or influence despite tensions between governments.

Merchant has pleaded not guilty . His lawyers described him as a deeply religious man whose movements were legal in both countries and argued there is insufficient evidence to prove he intended to carry out an assassination.

The case has renewed debate over the FBI’s use of undercover sting operations. Supporters say such tactics prevent attacks before they occur, while critics warn they may amount to entrapment when suspects lack the means to act independently. The trial is expected to continue in the coming weeks.