BREAKING: Trial Date Set in Explosive Allegation of Iranian Plot to Assassinate Donald Trump
In a development that could send shockwaves through both national security circles and the political landscape, a federal judge has officially scheduled March 9, 2026, as the start date for a trial involving one of the most serious alleged assassination plots in recent U.S. history.
The case centers on an alleged Iranian state-sponsored operation to assassinate former U.S. President Donald Trump on American soil. Also named as a potential target is prominent Iranian-American journalist and activist Masih Alinejad, a well-known critic of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The Accused: An Iranian Agent Operating from the Shadows
According to court filings unsealed this week, the primary suspect in the case is Farhad Shakeri, an Afghan-born operative alleged to be working for Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Shakeri is accused of being the mastermind behind the plot, acting on direct orders from within the Iranian regime.
Federal prosecutors allege that Shakeri was not only funded and supported by Tehran, but also given instructions to carry out targeted surveillance on Trump and Alinejad—steps believed to be part of an elaborate and deadly plan to silence two of Iran’s most vocal critics.
A Plot with Chilling Implications
The U.S. Department of Justice describes the plot as part of a wider campaign of “transnational repression,” where foreign governments use intelligence services and covert operations to intimidate, abduct, or even assassinate dissidents and political adversaries outside their borders.
In this case, authorities say the plot extended to U.S. territory and potentially included direct threats to the former commander-in-chief — a revelation that has raised serious alarm among both intelligence officials and lawmakers.
“This isn’t just an act of aggression — it’s a potential act of war,” said one anonymous counterterrorism official familiar with the investigation.
Trump and Alinejad Respond
While former President Trump has not yet issued a public comment on the unsealed documents, sources close to his legal team say he is fully cooperating with investigators and has increased his personal security measures. Meanwhile, Masih Alinejad, who has survived a previous plot against her life, issued a powerful statement on social media.
“The Iranian regime fears truth more than anything else,” she wrote. “I will not be silenced. The world must see the lengths they are willing to go to suppress dissent — even here, in the United States.”
Shakeri Still at Large in Tehran
Despite U.S. charges, Farhad Shakeri remains outside the reach of American law enforcement. He is believed to be residing in Tehran under the protection of the Iranian government. The U.S. does not have an extradition treaty with Iran, making it unlikely that he will face arrest unless he travels to a cooperating nation.
Nonetheless, the upcoming trial is expected to proceed in absentia if necessary, with federal prosecutors preparing a full presentation of the alleged plot, its funding, and its broader implications for international law and U.S. sovereignty.
This trial may become a defining moment in the confrontation between the United States and the Iranian regime — and could set a powerful precedent on how the U.S. responds to foreign pl