Miami, FLORIDA – The FBI is currently engaged in a nationwide manhunt for an Iranian intelligence officer suspected of orchestrating a plot to assassinate current and former federal government officials in retaliation for the 2020 airstrike that killed a high-ranking Iranian military figure. The agency’s Miami field office issued an alert last Friday naming Majid Dastjani Farahani as a person of interest in connection with recruitment efforts for various operations within the United States. Among these operations, the alert specifically cites the planned assassinations of American government officials as revenge for the death of Qasem Soleimani, the former commander of Iran’s Quds Force.
Qasem Soleimani was killed in a drone strike at Baghdad International Airport in January 2020, following orders from then-President Donald Trump. The Department of Defense reasoned the strike by stating that Soleimani posed an immediate threat to American diplomats and military personnel. Soleimani was accused of masterminding a number of attacks that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members, as well as the injury of thousands more.
The implicated Iranian intelligence officer, Farahani, is allegedly involved in recruiting individuals for surveillance engagements targeting religious sites, businesses, and various facilities across the United States. The FBI believes Farahani acted on behalf of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security. Descriptions provided by the agency indicate that the suspect is 41 years old, with brown and gray hair, brown eyes, and fluency in Farsi, English, Spanish, and French. Authorities suspect that Farahani may have ties to, or may potentially visit, Iran and Venezuela.
Reports from the outlet Semafor suggest that Farahani’s plot specifically targets officials who served under the Trump administration, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Brian Hook, who was Trump’s special envoy for Iran. The seriousness of the threat has resulted in both individuals receiving around-the-clock security details, according to unnamed U.S. officials cited by Semafor.
The FBI’s ongoing efforts to locate and apprehend Farahani underscore the gravity of the situation. The Iranian intelligence officer remains at large, and law enforcement agencies across the country are on high alert. As investigations continue, authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to this case.