Senator Chuck Grassley on Thursday released FBI records showing that an Iranian-backed conspiracy was plotting to assassinate former President Donald Trump and other prominent US politicians in connection with the killing of Qassem Soleimani, who was the commander of the Quds Force, a division of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The records, provided to Grassley through a legally protected whistleblower filing, reveal that Iran may have targeted “politicians, military personnel and government officials,” including President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump and former presidential candidate Nikki Haley.
Trump assassination attempt: Sen. Grassley demands answers from Secret Service about alleged explosives seen on body camera footage
“Bad actors are determined to wreak havoc on our country, and America's political leaders of both parties are in their way,” Senator Grassley said in a statement. “In this extremely threat environment, federal agencies must focus their efforts on building public trust and reassuring the American people that they are fulfilling their defense mission.”
“I will not stop demanding explanations until we get the transparency that Congress and the American people deserve,” Grassley concluded.
Iran's Quds Force commander, Gen. Qassem Soleimani (center), attends a meeting with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (not pictured) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Tehran, Iran, on September 18, 2016. (Iranian Supreme Leader's Press Office/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Asif Merchant, a Pakistani with ties to Iran, was indicted for his alleged involvement in the assassination plot. Merchant provided evidence to the FBI under a surrender agreement.
According to FBI records, Merchant believed he was involved in a murder-for-hire plot that would earn him a $50,000 reward if successful. During questioning, Merchant offered the option of shooting and killing former President Trump at both indoor and outdoor speaking events.
Body camera footage takes viewers to Pennsylvania rooftop moments after Trump assassination attempt
Merchant further stated that he could shoot targets at close or long range, but that a pistol was best indoors, whereas a rifle was necessary elsewhere, and he believed he had about a 50% success rate, according to FBI records.
Asif Merchant had been communicating with Iran by smuggling English notes into packages addressed to various relatives.
Former U.S. president and current Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks about the economy, inflation and manufacturing during a campaign event at Arlo Steel Co. in Potterville, Michigan, on August 29, 2024. Michigan is considered a key battleground state in the upcoming presidential election in November. (Bill Priano/Getty Images)
Some Republican lawmakers have argued that the July assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump was planned by foreigners from Iran or Pakistan. Since the attempt, Rep. Grassley's office has worked to release local Pennsylvania police body camera footage and called for accountability across multiple agencies.
Grassley said briefings from the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI earlier this week “again failed to provide full transparency, making the release of this letter and unclassified proposals necessary.”
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The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
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