2011 alleged Iran assassination plot

2011 Iran assassination plot
Part of Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict and Iran–Israel proxy conflict
Ambassador Adel al-Jubeir
Date29 September 2011 (2011-09-29) (arrests)
11 October 2011 (2011-10-11) (announcement)
VenueA local restaurant, the Embassy of Israel and the Embassy of Saudi Arabia
LocationWashington, D.C.
Also known asIran assassination plot or the "Iran terror plot" (media)
Operation Red Coalition (FBI)
TypeTerrorism
CauseIran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict
SuspectsManssor Arbabsiar and Gholam Shakuri (at large)
Convicted30 May 2013
ChargesTo participate in a plot allegedly directed by elements of the Iranian government to murder the Saudi Ambassador to the United States with explosives
VerdictGuilty
Sentence25 years imprisonment (Manssor Arbabsiar)

On 11 October 2011, United States officials alleged there was a plot tied to the Iranian government to assassinate Saudi ambassador Adel al-Jubeir in the United States. The plot was referred to as the "Iran assassination plot" or the "Iran terror plot" in the media, while the Federal Bureau of Investigation named the case "Operation Red Coalition".[1][2] Iranian nationals Manssor Arbabsiar and Gholam Shakuri were charged on 11 October 2011 in federal court in New York with plotting to assassinate Al-Jubeir.[3][4][5] According to U.S. officials, the two planned to kill Al-Jubeir at a restaurant with a bomb and subsequently bomb the Saudi embassy and the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C.[6][7] Bombings in Buenos Aires were also discussed. Arbabsiar was arrested on 29 September 2011 at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York while Shakuri remained at large.[8] On 24 October 2011, Arbabsiar pleaded not guilty.[9] In May 2013, after pleading guilty, Arbabsiar was sentenced to 25-years imprisonment.[10]

It is debated whether the Iranian government condoned or facilitated the plot; some experts suggested that the planners may be rogue elements within the Iranian secret service.[11]

  1. ^ McElroy, Damien (13 October 2011). "Iran terror plot: agent may have already fled to Iran". The Daily Telegraph. London. ISSN 0307-1235. OCLC 49632006. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  2. ^ Esposito, Richard (11 October 2011). "U.S. Says Iran-Tied Terror Plot in Washington, D.C. Disrupted". ABC News. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  3. ^ "Press Release: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Man Pleads Guilty in Manhattan Federal Court To Conspiring With Iranian Military Officials To Assassinate Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the United States". DOJ – Southern District of New York. 17 October 2012. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  4. ^ "Mideast rivalries a backdrop for Iran plot claims". CBS News. 12 October 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  5. ^ "Iranians charged in U.S. over assassination plot". Daily Star. 11 October 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  6. ^ "Iran 'Directed' Washington, D.C., Terror Plot, U.S. Says". ABC News. 12 October 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  7. ^ Iran's Khamenei warns U.S. over assassination claims USA Today. Accessed: 16 October 2011.
  8. ^ Hurtado, Patricia; Van Voris, Bob (11 October 2011). "Arbabsiar Held Without Bail in Alleged Plot to Kill Envoy". Bloomberg Businessweek. Archived from the original on 13 October 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  9. ^ Not-Guilty Plea in Plot to Kill Saudi Ambassador to the U.S.. The New York Times. 24 October 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference May2013CNN was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ U.S. Challenged to Explain Accusations of Iran Plot in the Face of Skepticism.. The New York Times. 24 October 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2011.