Story perspectives

U.S. Military Kills Iranian Operative Linked to Trump Assassination Plot

3/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. military killed an Iranian operative linked to a plot to assassinate former President Donald Trump during Operation Epic Fury, per Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
The operation targeted threats against Trump, initially focusing on Iranian missile systems.
Asif Merchant, a Pakistani national, was convicted for attempting to hire assassins to kill Trump and other officials.
Merchant was arrested in July 2024 after laying groundwork for the plot.

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Story summary

The U.S. military killed an Iranian operative linked to a plot to assassinate former President Donald Trump during Operation Epic Fury, per Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
The operation targeted threats against Trump, initially focusing on Iranian missile systems.
Asif Merchant, a Pakistani national, was convicted for attempting to hire assassins to kill Trump and other officials.
Merchant was arrested in July 2024 after laying groundwork for the plot.