Reuters Report on Iranian Government's Conspiracy for Assassination and Kidnapping in the West via 'Hired Terrorists'

Amid unprecedented tensions between the Iranian government and Israel, Reuters reported on Saturday about a wave of efforts by the Islamic Republic for kidnapping and murder in Europe and the United States in recent years. Citing court documents and statements from Western governments, Reuters reported that since 2020, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been involved in at least 33 attempts at assassination or kidnapping. One of the targeted locations for an attack was a Jewish center and kosher restaurant in downtown Athens, Greece. According to Reuters, a Pakistani citizen residing in Iran named Fakhar Abbas intended to pay 15,000 euros for each person killed by hiring an old acquaintance in Greece named Ertaza Haidar. Greek police arrested Haidar and another Pakistani last year on charges related to terrorism, stating that they dismantled a terrorist network directed from outside the country. Abbas is currently free in Pakistan. The Israeli Mossad, which assisted the Greek police in this investigation, claims that the Iranian government was the architect of this terrorist plot. Despite all evidence and documentation, the Islamic Republic denies involvement in this terrorist conspiracy. Bert Holmgren, director of the U.S. government’s National Counterterrorism Center, reminded Reuters that since 2020, the Islamic Republic has significantly increased plots to assassinate American officials, its Iranian opponents, and Israeli and Jewish citizens. Reuters' report only examined plots in which the Iranian government's involvement was alleged or proven, ignoring cases where the Islamic Republic was not mentioned for various reasons. David Barnea, head of Mossad, stated last year that the country had disrupted 27 teams a year earlier, accused of attempting attacks 'coordinated, designed, and managed' by the Islamic Republic outside Iran. A key pattern in the Islamic Republic's terrorist plots in recent years has been the hiring of criminals and gang members. The U.S. and its allies believe that the Iranian government undertakes these actions to conceal its connection to these plots. In December of last year, an Iranian-German citizen was sentenced to 2 years and 9 months in prison for plotting an attack on a Jewish synagogue on behalf of the Iranian government. He was hired by another Iranian-German who currently resides in Iran. In the United States, at least five terrorist plots by the Islamic Republic of Iran have been recorded since 2020. Asif Reza Merchant, 46, is accused of being connected to the Islamic Republic in a plot to assassinate an American politician aimed at 'avenging the killing of Qassem Soleimani.' Reports indicate that Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, was the target of this plot. Masih Alinejad, a journalist and human rights activist, is another prominent opposition figure that the Iranian government has attempted to target through its hired terrorists. According to this report, a citizen of Azerbaijan residing in the U.S. was tasked with executing this plot after receiving $30,000 from a person inside Iran. In addition to this individual, three others were members of this criminal group from Eastern Europe. Ms. Alinejad had previously been the target of a failed kidnapping scheme. The U.S. states that among the Iranian officials involved in overseas assassinations is a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps named Mohammad Reza Ansari. Ansari, with the help of another Iranian named Shahram Pour-Safi, attempted in late 2021 to assassinate John Bolton, the White House National Security Advisor during Trump's presidency, and possibly Mike Pompeo, the Secretary of State under Trump. Reuters also mentioned at least six plots by the Islamic Republic to attack Jewish or Israeli targets in Europe through hired terrorists. The U.S. is offering up to $20 million for information leading to the arrest of Shahram Pour-Safi, a member of the Revolutionary Guard. Blinken: The U.S. government takes the Iranian threats against Donald Trump and U.S. officials very seriously. The Pakistani individual accused of attempting to hire a 'hired killer' on behalf of the Islamic Republic is heading to court. Shin Bet: An Israeli who was hired by the Islamic Republic to assassinate Netanyahu has been arrested. Cyprus thwarted an attack by Revolutionary Guard affiliates against 'Jews and Israelis.' German prosecutors have charged an Iranian-German with attempting to set fire to a synagogue.