In a shocking case of international espionage, two men linked to the Russian mob were convicted in New York for attempting to assassinate Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad in a murder-for-hire scheme financed by Iran’s government.
The verdict, delivered on March 20, exposed Iran’s persistent efforts to silence Alinejad, who has long advocated for women’s rights in Iran. Prosecutors revealed that Iranian intelligence officials initially planned to kidnap her in 2020 and 2021 but later offered $500,000 to have her killed after their plan failed.
According to court testimony, Iran hired organized crime figures to execute the attack. The convicted men, Rafat Amirov and Polad Omarov, worked with Khalid Mehdiyev, a hitman who admitted to buying an AK-47 for the murder in July 2022. However, the plot failed when police discovered the firearm in Mehdiyev’s vehicle.
Alinejad, 48, called the verdict “a victory for justice” but warned that Iran’s leaders remain a threat.
This case is part of a growing pattern of Iran-backed assassination plots, including attempts against former U.S. officials. Despite Tehran’s denials, U.S. authorities are sending a clear message: such attacks will not be tolerated.
