WASHINGTON DC: US authorities thwarted an alleged plot to bomb the Israeli and Saudi Arabian embassies in Washington and assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the United States, court documents and a US official said on Tuesday.
The alleged plotters were identified as Manssor Arbabsiar, 56, and Gholam Shakuri — both originally from Iran — in the criminal complaint unsealed in a federal court in New York City. Arbabsiar, a naturalised US citizen, was arrested in late September. Shakuri is still at large.
The plot was disrupted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Drug Enforcement Administration. US officials said the Iranian in custody had confessed to the plot and provided information on the involvement of various factions of the Iranian government who were behind the plot.
Court documents identified Shakuri as a member of the Quds Force, a branch of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Shakuri approved the plan to try to kill the Saudi ambassador during telephone conversations with Arbabsiar, the complaint said.
In July and August, Arbabsiar paid $100,000 to a DEA informant for the murder of Saudi Ambassador Adel al Jubeir, court documents said.
Arbabsiar was arrested late last month at New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport. After his arrest, court papers said, Arbabsiar confessed to the authorities.
The men are charged with one count of conspiracy to murder, two counts of foreign travel and use of interstate and foreign commerce facilities in the commission of murder for hire and one count each of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction and conspiracy to commit an act of terrorism.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 12th, 2011.
COMMENTS (21)
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Caution should be exercised in view of the rowboats that Iran has off the USA coast.
Why all the comments implying this is a CIA plot are colorful - you should note that it was the FBI and DEA that uncovered this plot and arrested the individual. . "In July and August, Arbabsiar paid $100,000 to a DEA informant for the murder of Saudi Ambassador Adel al Jubeir, court documents said." . It's likely this transaction was recorded and will be presented in a court of law. If so it's also likely the defendant facing overwhelming evidence will negotiate a reduced sentence in exchange for providing further information about his fellow conspirator.
Your headlines seems to suggest that Iran is already guilty of the crime. Accusation by America does not mean that it is true. Remember Yellow Cake deal, WMD, etc. I can also accuse your Newspaper to be under CIA payroll, but then it's just an accusation
@John B:
Iran is a peacefull country Mr John and US is a biggest terrorist of this Planet.
US would be no more in the map of this world in few years
@Bangladeshi:
Yeah! and in 1971 it was the American Consul General Archer Blood's false propoganda in Dhaka.
Another song released by US Band...
@Bangladeshi: No deaths counts as failing to protect? What exactly does successful protection require in your mindset? Ignoring it and covering it up afterwards as usual to protect the actual attackers?
It is just like; Syria involved in Hariri killing, Pakistan involved in Rabbabni kinlling and now Iran involved in to ambassador killing plot. In all cases american knew the tension between two parties. But what these American terrorist says about killing of Palestinians in UAE by jews force?, killing of thousands of muslims in the name of Islam, terrorism and talebans?
Wahabis in Pakistan are going to run riot now.
@ Joan Your are a typical victim of Fox Media News, What I call "Media edcucated " folks of the western world
Off course who else can be involved. In the 70s it was evil USSR & communist china and now it is Iran , ISI & PAK. Its really funny how the american's foiled this alleged plot but failed protect their embassy in fortified Kabul. I guess this is what they call american exceptionalism. Its truly the most exceptional and unique state in the history of mankind. Lots of things for ISI to learn.
In light of increased provocations from Iran and given the threat must not be underestimated, the wisdom of increased support for Iranian interests in displacing Ahmadinejad and his religious leaders with democracy or at least with less zealous Islamists must be seriously considered.
Another attempt by the American to discredit the Iranians, The very thought that Iran possess nuclear technology is driving the American Nuts, Several attemps to destroy Iran Nuclear techonology having failed, These nationas are now using any and every means to destroy their achievement, Dont tell me that CIA and MOSSAD havent tried killing other dignataries from different countries. Ofcourse the western media will now try to blow it out of proportion. I am just waiting for the western press Tsunami hit.
Funny how undercover DEA Agents are involved in all such cases duh!
I am just glad that the plot was uncovered before it could be attempted. The consequences would have been far reaching with a very high probability of war in retaliation.
I am sure they were involved just like Raymond Davis wasn't from CIA
Any hopes of olive branch to Iran is down the drain now.
What does it mean to PAK?
Forget Iranian pipe line.