A federal jury has convicted Asif Merchant, also known as Asif Raza Merchant, of murder-for-hire and terrorism offences linked to a plot to assassinate U.S. politicians and government officials.
The U.S. Department of Justice said Merchant travelled to the United States on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to recruit individuals to carry out the killings before the plan was disrupted by law enforcement.
Authorities said the investigation prevented any attack from taking place and resulted in Merchant’s arrest in July 2024.
What Happened
According to the Justice Department and court filings, Merchant travelled to the United States in April 2024 to recruit individuals capable of carrying out an assassination plot targeting American political figures.
Investigators say Merchant contacted an acquaintance in New York whom he believed could assist with the scheme. The individual instead alerted law enforcement and began cooperating with investigators as a confidential source.
During meetings in New York in early June 2024, Merchant allegedly outlined a plan involving several criminal activities.
Court filings state that these included stealing documents from a target’s home, staging a protest at a political rally, and arranging the killing of a politician or government official.
The confidential source later introduced Merchant to two individuals he believed were hired assassins. In reality, they were undercover law-enforcement officers.
According to prosecutors, Merchant told the individuals that the identity of the intended victim would be provided after he had left the United States and communicated with them from overseas.
Court documents further state that Merchant provided $5,000 in cash as an advance payment connected to the planned assassination scheme.
Investigators say Merchant also conducted internet searches about political rallies and reviewed security arrangements before the planned attack.
Merchant later arranged to leave the United States on 12 July 2024, but federal agents arrested him before he departed the country.
The Government’s Case
Prosecutors argued that Merchant travelled to the United States as part of a mission linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
According to the Justice Department, Merchant testified during the trial that the IRGC had sent him to the United States to arrange political assassinations and obtain documents.
Authorities said the case demonstrated how coordinated intelligence and law-enforcement operations can disrupt potential attacks before they are carried out.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi said the investigation showed the Justice Department’s continued focus on identifying and preventing terrorism threats targeting the United States.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the case illustrates the role of federal law-enforcement partnerships in detecting and preventing foreign-linked plots against individuals inside the country.
Legal Exposure and Penalties
Merchant was convicted by a federal jury of:
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Murder for hire
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Attempting to commit an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries
According to the Justice Department, Merchant faces a potential sentence of up to life imprisonment following the conviction.
A sentencing date has not yet been announced.
The offence of attempting to commit an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries is commonly used in U.S. national security prosecutions involving alleged plots by foreign actors targeting individuals or institutions connected to the United States.
What Happens Next
The Justice Department framed the case as a national security prosecution involving an operative linked to a foreign government-connected organisation.
The conviction reflects the U.S. government’s continued use of federal criminal statutes, including murder-for-hire and terrorism offences, to disrupt alleged plots connected to foreign intelligence networks operating inside the United States.
Authorities also highlighted the role of undercover investigations and cooperation between multiple law-enforcement agencies in identifying and preventing potential attacks.
Following the jury’s verdict, the case will now proceed to the sentencing phase in federal court.
Merchant faces a potential sentence of up to life imprisonment, although the final penalty will be determined by the court at a future sentencing hearing.
Case details
Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
Case: United States v. Asif Merchant
Case number: 1:24-mj-00467
Case posture: Jury conviction
Lead investigative agencies: FBI and partner law-enforcement agencies
DOJ components: National Security Division and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York
Date of announcement: 6 March 2026
People Also Ask
Who is Asif Merchant?
Asif Merchant, also known as Asif Raza Merchant, is an Iranian intelligence operative convicted in the United States of terrorism and murder-for-hire offences linked to a plot targeting American politicians.
What was Asif Merchant accused of?
U.S. prosecutors said Merchant travelled to the United States to recruit individuals to carry out political assassinations and other criminal acts before the plot was disrupted by law enforcement.
What sentence could Asif Merchant receive?
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Merchant faces a potential sentence of up to life imprisonment following his conviction.
