A Pakistani man with ties to the Iranian government has been accused of plotting to kill US government officials in a murder-for-hire scheme. According to the Department of Justice, Asif Raza Merchant traveled to the US to hire hitmen, who turned out to be undercover agents. The plot, part of Iran's retaliation for the killing of General Soleimani, involved using coded language and elaborate plans. Merchant was arrested before he could leave the country, and the FBI claims this foiled plot is a stark example of the ongoing threats against US officials from foreign actors.

Merchant, now in federal custody, traveled to the US to find hitmen who turned out to be undercover officers. This plot was supposed to happen in August or September this year, as revealed in a recently unsealed indictment in New York.

Interestingly, this case is not related to the recent attempt on Donald Trump’s life during a rally in Pennsylvania. Officials believe that the 20-year-old gunman in that inc...