Pakistani Man Claims Iran Forced Him into Plot to Kill Trump, Biden, and Haley

A Pakistani man has claimed that Iranian handlers coerced him into a plot to assassinate former US President Donald Trump, with President Biden and Nikki Haley also named as potential targets.

5 Mar, 04:16 — 5 Mar, 09:09

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Why this matters

This story highlights ongoing tensions between the US and Iran, with serious allegations of state-sponsored assassination plots against high-profile American political figures. If proven true, it could significantly escalate diplomatic and security concerns, underscoring the complex and often hostile relationship between the two nations.

Key entitiesAsif Merchant Iran Donald Trump Joe Biden Nikki Haley US Justice Department Revolutionary Guard

The Story

What 4 sources agree on, dispute, and miss

What sources agree on

A Pakistani national, Asif Merchant, has been accused by the US Justice Department of plotting to kill US politicians.
Merchant claims he was forced by an Iranian handler to participate in the plot.
The alleged targets included Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
Merchant stated he had "no other option" and his family was under threat.

Key claims3 agreed · 3 unverified

✓

Asif Merchant, a Pakistani national, was charged by the US Justice Department.

agreed·Times of Indiandtv

✓

Merchant was accused of plotting to assassinate President Trump and Joe Biden.

agreed·Times of Indiandtvhindustan-times

✓

Merchant claims an Iranian handler forced him into the plot.

agreed·jerusalem-postTimes of Indiandtvhindustan-times

Merchant received $5,000 in cash.

unverified·Times of India

The plot was in retaliation for Washington's 2020 killing of a top Iranian general.

unverified·ndtv

Nikki Haley was also named as a possible target.

unverified·jerusalem-post

Coverage gaps

The specific amount of money Merchant allegedly received ($5,000 in cash)

ReportedTimes of India

Missingjerusalem-postndtvhindustan-times

The alleged motive for the plot: retaliation for Washington's 2020 killing of a top Iranian general

Reportedndtv

Missingjerusalem-postTimes of Indiahindustan-times

Nikki Haley was also named as a possible target by the Iranian handler

Reportedjerusalem-post

MissingTimes of India

The Story

Analyzing sources…

Source Diversity

Moderate (47/100)

4 sources30/33

Spectrum spread— 2/5 buckets covered8/33

Far L

Left1

Left (1)

ndtv

Center

Right3

Right (3)

jerusalem-postTimes of Indiahindustan-times

Far R

Geographic diversity— 2 regions9/34

India3Israel1

Political spectrum

LeftCenterRight

ndtv

times-india

hindustan-times

jerusalem-post

Outlet rating This story

SourceOutletiGeneral editorial lean of the outletStoryiHow they covered this specific storyToneFactuality

ndtvcenter-leftcenterneutralMostly FactualFactual reporting, includes alleged Iranian motive

Times of IndiacentercenterneutralMostly FactualNeutral reporting of charges and suspect's claims

Coverage leans: center

The coverage is largely factual and reports on the allegations without significant political framing, focusing on the suspect's claims and the US Justice Department's accusation.

Sources

Showing 4 of 4 sources

Times of IndiaMostly Factual106d ago

Got $5,000 in cash, family under 'threat': Pak man accused of plotting to kill Trump points to Iran

A Pakistani national, Asif Merchant, has been charged by the US Justice Department for allegedly plotting to assassinate President Trump and Joe Biden in 2024. Merchant claims an Iranian handler instructed him, and he was apprehended after attempting to hire undercover FBI agents posing as hitmen. He cited threats to his family in Iran as his motive.

By TIMESOFINDIA.COM

Read full article →

hindustan-timesMostly Factual106d ago

Pak businessman says Iran revolutionary guard recruited him in Trump, Biden killing plot: ‘Had no other choice’

The Revolutionary Guard, which gained prominence under Khamenei, who was recently killed in strikes, is deemed a “foreign terrorist organisation" by Washington.

Read full article →

ndtvMostly Factual105d ago

Who Was Farhad Shakeri, Iran Man Killed By US, Linked To Trump Murder Plot

Farhad Shakeri, the Iranian leader who was allegedly behind the plot to assassinate President Donald Trump in 2024, has been killed by the US military. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed during a press briefing that Shakeri had been killed

Read full article →

jerusalem-postMostly Factual106d ago

Pakistani man says Iran forced him into plot to kill Trump, media say

The suspect claimed that in addition to Trump, his Iranian handler also named Biden and Haley as possible targets.

Read full article →

Coverage Timeline

First report: hindustan-times · 5 Mar, 04:16|Full coverage: 4 · 5h|Window: 5h

Left-leaningCenterRight-leaning

hindustan-times5 Mar, 04:16First to report

Pak businessman says Iran revolutionary guard recruited him in Trump, Biden killing plot: ‘Had no other choice’

Times of India5 Mar, 04:38

Got $5,000 in cash, family under 'threat': Pak man accused of plotting to kill Trump points to Iran

1h later

jerusalem-post5 Mar, 05:41

Pakistani man says Iran forced him into plot to kill Trump, media say

3h later

ndtv5 Mar, 09:09Latest update

Who Was Farhad Shakeri, Iran Man Killed By US, Linked To Trump Murder Plot

Story evolution

Initial Charges and Suspect's ClaimMarch 5 morning

US Justice Department charges Asif Merchant; Merchant claims Iranian coercion.

PERSPECTA

PERSPECTA

Pakistani Man Claims Iran Forced Him into Plot to Kill Trump, Biden, and Haley

Why this matters

The Story

What sources agree on

Key claims3 agreed · 3 unverified

Coverage gaps

The Story

Source Diversity

Source Diversity

Political spectrum

Sources

Got $5,000 in cash, family under 'threat': Pak man accused of plotting to kill Trump points to Iran

Pak businessman says Iran revolutionary guard recruited him in Trump, Biden killing plot: ‘Had no other choice’

Who Was Farhad Shakeri, Iran Man Killed By US, Linked To Trump Murder Plot

Pakistani man says Iran forced him into plot to kill Trump, media say

Coverage Timeline

Pak businessman says Iran revolutionary guard recruited him in Trump, Biden killing plot: ‘Had no other choice’

Got $5,000 in cash, family under 'threat': Pak man accused of plotting to kill Trump points to Iran

Pakistani man says Iran forced him into plot to kill Trump, media say

Who Was Farhad Shakeri, Iran Man Killed By US, Linked To Trump Murder Plot

Story evolution

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PERSPECTA

Why this matters

Story evolution

The Story

What sources agree on

Key claims3 agreed · 3 unverified

Coverage gaps

Political spectrum

Coverage matrix