Tehran is keeping a close eye on November, hoping for a candidate that aligns with their interests.
A repressive foreign government is exerting all its influence to install its preferred candidate in the highest office of the United States. This situation is not a mere hypothetical scenario reminiscent of Russian interference in the past elections aimed at elevating Donald Trump to power. Rather, it represents a grave and tangible initiative by Iran to support Kamala Harris while simultaneously plotting against Trump’s life.
On July 12, just one day prior to the first assassination attempt on Trump, authorities apprehended Asif Merchant, a Pakistani national, in connection with a murder-for-hire scheme as he was preparing to leave the country. Merchant, who has familial ties in both Tehran and Karachi, faces serious charges for allegedly attempting to arrange the killings of several current and former U.S. officials. While the identities of these officials have not been publicly revealed by prosecutors, a senior law enforcement source has confirmed to NBC News that Trump was indeed among the intended targets.
FBI Director Christopher Wray has characterized the assassination plot as being "orchestrated by a Pakistani national with close ties to Iran," emphasizing that it aligns with the tactics commonly employed by the Iranian regime. This pattern of behavior includes incitement to violence against the former president, as evidenced by an animated video released by Iran two years ago, which depicted a remote-controlled weapon targeting Trump while he was on a golf course in West Palm Beach. Such actions underscore the serious nature of the threats posed by foreign entities seeking to influence American politics through violent means.
The video in question does not accurately depict reality, as it is set at Mar-a-Lago, a location that lacks a golf course. Instead, the actual site related to the second attempted assassination of Donald Trump by Ryan Routh is the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, which is situated nearby. This discrepancy highlights the creative liberties taken in the portrayal of events surrounding the assassination plot.
Merchant, who arrived in the United States from Pakistan in April after a period in Iran, quickly attracted the attention of the FBI. He attempted to present himself as a representative of foreign interests to the individuals he sought to hire for his nefarious plans. However, the associates he engaged, to whom he paid a $5,000 advance, were actually undercover agents working for the FBI, which ultimately led to his downfall.
While Merchant does not appear to have any direct ties to Thomas Crooks, the sniper who targeted Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, there are speculations from blogger Marcy Wheeler regarding the potential involvement of Merchant or similar intermediaries in Routh's violent intentions. Upon his arrest, Routh was found with an unusual number of cellphones—six in total, with at least two on different carriers, and an additional four in a box left at a neighbor's house. Merchant also demonstrated a level of awareness regarding cellphone security, although not to the same extent as Routh, whose efforts to engage in Ukraine's defense against Russia may have influenced his approach to operational security.
In his self-published work titled “Ukraine’s Unwinnable War,” Routh expressed vehement criticism regarding Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from Barack Obama’s Iran nuclear agreement. In a particularly provocative statement, he suggested that Tehran should feel empowered to carry out an assassination of the former president, declaring, “You are free to assassinate Trump.” This alarming invitation underscores the heightened tensions surrounding U.S.-Iran relations and the potential ramifications of political rhetoric.
The Trump campaign has responded to these incendiary remarks by highlighting that U.S. intelligence had previously informed the candidate about credible threats from Iran aimed at his life. These threats are perceived as part of a broader strategy by Iran to create instability and chaos within the United States. Trump himself took to the social media platform X to voice his concerns, stating, “Big threats on my life by Iran.” He further elaborated that there had been attempts by Iran that ultimately failed, but he warned that they would likely make further efforts.
Iran's motivations extend beyond mere retaliation against Trump for the drone strike that eliminated Qasem Soleimani, a key figure in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and a prominent architect of state-sponsored terrorism. The Iranian regime seeks to restore the favorable conditions that existed during the previous Democratic administration, characterized by the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, commonly known as the Iran deal. This agreement had resulted in the easing of sanctions and the release of substantial financial assets to Iran. While critics accuse Trump of fostering relationships with authoritarian leaders, it is the oppressive regime in Iran that finds solace in the political maneuvers of Trump’s Democratic rivals.
The bounty placed on Trump by Iranian factions represents just one of their most audacious efforts to manipulate the outcome of the upcoming U.S. election. This act is emblematic of a broader strategy employed by Iran, which includes providing Democrats, progressive activists, and media outlets with sensitive information that has been illicitly obtained from Republican campaign sources. Such actions raise significant concerns regarding the integrity of American elections and the safety of its citizens, yet they seem to garner far less scrutiny than the well-documented interference attributed to Russian entities.
The media's bias against Trump is only part of a larger narrative; Iran's violent influence extends beyond political machinations, targeting various individuals within the United States. A notable example is Salman Rushdie, who suffered severe injuries, including the loss of an eye and the use of one hand, following an assassination attempt by a Hezbollah supporter during a public event two years ago. This incident underscores the tangible threat posed by Iranian operatives and their affiliates, highlighting the urgent need for vigilance against such foreign aggression.
While Iran's power in the Middle East appears to be diminishing, particularly as Israel effectively neutralizes its Hezbollah and other proxies, Tehran remains optimistic about its prospects in the U.S. political landscape. The regime hopes that a potential Harris administration could mirror the leniency of the Obama era, potentially pressuring Israel to halt its military actions against Iranian-backed groups. As Americans prepare to cast their votes, it is imperative that they recognize the seriousness of this foreign interference and reject any outcomes that would embolden Iran's ambitions.
Add comment
Comments