In a shocking revelation, the Department of Justice announced on Tuesday that a Pakistani national with ties to Iran has been charged in a foiled plot to assassinate U.S. government officials on American soil. Asif Merchant, 46, was arrested on July 12 in Texas before any attacks could be carried out. Former President Donald Trump was among the potential targets of this sinister plot, according to a senior law enforcement source who spoke to NBC News.

Merchant's arrest came just one day before a gunman narrowly missed killing Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. However, law enforcement officials do not believe that the alleged plot by Merchant is connected to the assassination attempt at the rally. The Secret Service had already increased Trump's protection following the discovery of an Iranian plot to kill him, dating back to mid-July. This increased security was prompted by Merchant's plot, which had been under surveillance by law enforcement since April.

According to an FBI agent's affidavit, Merchant had been orchestrating the plot to kill government officials since at least April. The suspect had traveled to Iran before flying to the United States, where he contacted an individual whom he believed could assist him in carrying out the scheme. However, this person promptly reported Merchant to the authorities and became a confidential source.

Merchant had initially approached the source under the pretense of offering business opportunities but later divulged his true intentions. In a meeting at a New York hotel room, he made a motion with his hand resembling a "finger gun," indicating that the opportunity involved murder. Merchant then enlisted the source's help in arranging a meeting with supposed hitmen in New York.

In subsequent meetings, Merchant allegedly revealed his three-pronged plot, which included stealing documents from a target's home, planning a protest, and ultimately assassinating a politician or government official. He claimed that these individuals were causing harm to Pakistan and the Muslim world.

The confidential source went on to introduce Merchant to two individuals he believed were hitmen, but they were actually undercover officers. Merchant paid them $5,000 in cash as an advance payment for carrying out the murders. However, law enforcement intercepted him on July 12 and took him into custody, conducting a search of his residence.

"This dangerous murder-for-hire plot...is straight out of the Iranian playbook," stated FBI Director Christopher Wray in a press release announcing the case. The Justice Department has been actively countering Iran's relentless efforts to retaliate against American public officials since the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in 2020.

Asif Merchant now faces serious charges related to his alleged plot to assassinate U.S. government officials. The Department of Justice's proactive approach in preventing such threats highlights the ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety of American public officials.

Note: This news article was generated based on the information provided and does not contain any additional information or independent verification.