FBI Alerts Nikki Haley to a Potentially Dangerous International Threat

The FBI has warned former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley about an alleged Iranian assassination plot targeting her campaign.

At a Glance

FBI informed Nikki Haley of Iranian targeting during her presidential campaign.
Iranian-backed entities plotted to assassinate American politicians, including Haley, Trump, and Biden.
Plot allegedly in retaliation for the 2020 death of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.
Haley urges awareness of threats from Iran, not just Russia and China.

FBI Warns of Iranian Threat to Haley’s Campaign

Former UN Ambassador and Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley has revealed that the FBI warned her about Iranian efforts to target her campaign. The Bureau informed Haley that Iran was attempting to meddle in and harm her presidential bid, highlighting the ongoing threats faced by American politicians from foreign entities.

This disclosure comes amid broader concerns about foreign interference in U.S. politics and the safety of high-profile political figures. The FBI’s warning to Haley underscores the seriousness of the threat and the need for heightened security measures for political candidates.

Iranian Assassination Plot Targets Multiple U.S. Officials

The threat to Haley was part of a larger Iranian-backed plot targeting multiple high-ranking U.S. officials. According to unclassified FBI documents reviewed by Senator Chuck Grassley, the plot also included potential assassination attempts against former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden.

The alleged plot was reportedly in retaliation for the January 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. This revelation highlights the potential long-term consequences of U.S. foreign policy actions and the persistent threat of retaliation from adversarial nations.

Details of the Assassination Plot Emerge

Federal investigators interviewed Asif Merchant, a Pakistani man charged in the Iran-backed assassination plot. Merchant provided chilling details about the planning and tactics discussed with his handler, Mehardad Yousef. The plot involved considerations of indoor versus outdoor assassination attempts and included diagrams demonstrating potential attack scenarios.

Yousef “had drawn a diagram on a whiteboard to demonstrate to Merchant how an assassination could be conducted” and he also “drew a rectangle representing an area where a crowd would gather. At the top of the rectangle was a small box representing a podium whether the target could be located,” per the document.

The investigation revealed that Merchant had scouted locations and provided details about Trump’s rally security and logistics. These revelations underscore the sophisticated nature of the threat and the need for robust security measures to protect U.S. political figures.

Haley Warns of Broader Foreign Interference

In light of these revelations, Nikki Haley has called for increased awareness of threats from Iran and other foreign adversaries. She emphasized that the threat extends beyond just Russia and China, urging Americans to be vigilant about foreign attempts to create division and chaos in the United States.

“Look at what happened in [New York Governor Kathy] Hochul’s office with the Chinese influence and what was happening there,” Haley said. “Look at the murder-for-hire plot on U.S. soil, which I was named in, by Iran.”

Haley’s warnings serve as a reminder of the complex geopolitical landscape and the various ways in which foreign powers may attempt to influence U.S. politics and society. As the United States approaches another election cycle, her message underscores the importance of remaining vigilant against foreign interference in all its forms.