ISLAMABAD: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Wednesday that United States military forces have killed the leader of an Iranian unit responsible for an alleged assassination plot targeting President Donald Trump.
The announcement came during a Pentagon briefing as the US continues its military campaign against Iran, known as Operation Epic Fury. Hegseth described the killing as occurring on Tuesday, emphasizing that the individual was not the primary target of the broader operation but was added to the list due to longstanding intelligence on Iranian threats.
Hegseth stated that the leader of the unit behind the attempt on President Trump’s life had been “hunted down and killed.” He added the striking phrase, “Iran tried to kill President Trump and President Trump got the last laugh,” framing the incident as a personal retribution within the larger conflict.
The plot traces back to 2024, when the US Department of Justice under the previous administration unsealed charges against an Afghan national, Farhad Shakeri, aged 51. Prosecutors alleged that Shakeri was directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to devise a plan for surveilling and assassinating Trump, who was then president-elect.
Federal authorities claimed the IRGC tasked Shakeri in September 2024 to focus on assassination preparations, including surveillance. The plot was linked to Iran’s long-standing grievances, particularly following the 2020 US drone strike that eliminated IRGC Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad.
US intelligence has repeatedly assessed elevated threats from Iranian actors against Trump and other officials since the Soleimani killing. Tehran has consistently denied orchestrating such plots, labeling accusations as baseless propaganda.
Hegseth provided few specifics on the identity of the killed Iranian official or the exact nature of the strike. He stressed that the operation was part of ongoing US and Israeli coordinated efforts to degrade Iranian military capabilities, including missile systems and leadership structures.
The defense secretary noted that US forces have known for a long time about Iran’s intentions to target President Trump or other American figures. While not the initial focus of the current campaign, he ensured those responsible were included on target lists.
This development occurs against the backdrop of intensified US-Israel military actions in Iran. Recent strikes have reportedly achieved significant progress in securing airspace dominance and reducing Iranian missile and drone capabilities.
Hegseth described the Iranian regime as “toast,” asserting that leaders in Tehran recognize their precarious position or soon will. He emphasized that the campaign is accelerating rather than slowing, with precision-guided munitions deployed in large numbers.
President Trump has publicly linked recent operations to prior threats, stating in earlier comments that he acted preemptively against figures who posed dangers. The killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israeli strike was also framed by some officials as closing the chapter on long-term hostilities.
The Pentagon has reported casualties on the US side, including six service members killed in related actions. Despite these losses, Hegseth portrayed the operations as decisive and not endless, contrasting them with past prolonged engagements.
Analysts observe that the announcement serves multiple purposes: bolstering domestic support for the ongoing conflict, signaling resolve to adversaries, and highlighting perceived successes in countering asymmetric threats.
Iranian responses have been limited in official channels, with state media focusing on mourning and national unity following high-level losses. Tehran continues to reject US claims of assassination plots as fabrications designed to justify aggression.
The episode underscores persistent tensions between Washington and Tehran, rooted in decades of mutual accusations involving terrorism sponsorship, proxy warfare, and direct confrontations.
As military operations persist, questions remain about potential escalation, regional fallout, and the long-term impact on Middle East stability. US officials maintain that the campaign aims at fundamentally altering Iran’s threat posture.
Hegseth reiterated commitments to protect American interests and personnel, warning that any further threats would meet overwhelming response without hesitation.
The killing represents a notable tactical achievement amid broader strategic objectives in the region.
US-Pakistan relations could face indirect implications, given Islamabad’s balancing act in Middle East affairs and its own security concerns involving Iran.
Observers in South Asia monitor developments closely for spillover effects on energy security and counterterrorism cooperation.
The announcement has drawn varied international reactions, with some allies expressing support for US actions while others call for de-escalation.