Arrest of Iraqi national in Turkey uncovers alleged assassination plan linked to Iran-backed networks
A dramatic assassination plot targeting Ivanka Trump, the daughter of US President Donald Trump, has come to light following the arrest and extradition of an Iraqi national accused of ties to Iran-backed militant groups.
According to US authorities, 32-year-old Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi allegedly vowed to avenge the killing of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani by targeting members of the Trump family.
Revenge Motive Linked To Soleimani Strike
Soleimani, the powerful head of Iran’s Quds Force, was killed in a US drone strike near Baghdad Airport in January 2020 during Trump’s first term in office.
Investigators believe Al-Saadi viewed Soleimani as both a mentor and father figure. Following the Iranian commander’s death, he allegedly became obsessed with seeking revenge against those he blamed for the operation.
US officials claim that Al-Saadi specifically identified Ivanka Trump as a potential target, believing an attack on her would inflict personal pain on the former US President.
Blueprint Of Ivanka’s Home Allegedly Found
The alleged plot gained credibility after authorities reportedly discovered documents and surveillance material linked to Ivanka Trump’s residence in Florida following Al-Saadi’s arrest in Turkey.
Investigators also pointed to social media posts in which he shared maps and references to the area where Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner, live with their family.
One message reportedly suggested that “revenge is only a matter of time,” raising concerns among US security agencies about the seriousness of the threat.
Long History Of Militancy
Al-Saadi is alleged to have trained with Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and later became associated with Kata’ib Hizballah, an Iran-backed Iraqi militia designated as a terrorist organisation by the United States.
US prosecutors have linked him to multiple alleged plots and attacks targeting American and Jewish interests in different countries, though several of those allegations remain subject to legal proceedings.
From Baghdad To Tehran
Born in Baghdad, Al-Saadi reportedly spent much of his childhood between Iraq and Iran.
His father, an Iranian military officer, died when he was young. According to individuals familiar with his background, Soleimani subsequently became an influential figure in his life, helping shape his ideological and military training.
Officials believe the death of Soleimani marked a turning point, transforming personal loyalty into a desire for retaliation against the United States.
Security Concerns Resurface Amid US-Iran Tensions
The revelations come at a sensitive moment as tensions between Washington and Tehran remain high.
The alleged plot has once again highlighted concerns among US intelligence agencies about potential retaliatory operations by Iran-linked individuals and organisations against American officials and their families.
While the investigation continues, US authorities say the case underscores the long-lasting consequences of the 2020 strike that killed Soleimani and the continuing security challenges stemming from the confrontation between the United States and Iran.