"Iran Tried to Kill John Bolton," US DOJ Charges Member of Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps

Former U.S. National Security Council (NSC) Advisor John Bolton
[Photo by AP News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the 10th (local time), the U.S. Department of Justice indicted an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) member of Iranian nationality for orchestrating the assassination of former National Security Council (NSC) advisor John Bolton. It was also reported that former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who, along with Bolton, pursued a policy of pressuring Iran during the Trump administration, was targeted for assassination.

According to the Washington Post (WP) and others, the U.S. Department of Justice believes that Shahram Poursafi (45), an IRGC member, attempted to hire an assassin for $300,000 within the United States to kill former advisor Bolton. The Department of Justice interprets this assassination plot as part of retaliation for the death of Qassem Soleimani, commander of the IRGC Quds Force, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in 2020.

Last year, Poursafi contacted an unidentified individual A residing in the U.S. online, claiming he needed a photo of former advisor Bolton for writing a book. Subsequently, through A, he instructed a government insider to assassinate Bolton. However, investigations revealed that the insider did not carry out the assassination but instead raised the price and negotiated. Initially, the price was set at $250,000 (approximately 330 million KRW), but it later increased to $300,000.

During the investigation, the FBI confirmed that two photos near Bolton’s office were saved on Poursafi’s online account.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) member Shahram Fursapi [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

CNN reported that Poursafi designated Washington DC as the assassination location, mentioned that Bolton habitually took solitary walks, and that the killing should be disguised as a traffic accident. He also referred to a parking lot near the building where Bolton’s office is located, a place known for frequent traffic accidents, stating the assassination should occur there. Additionally, he mentioned the need for a video confirming Bolton’s death.

Poursafi has not yet been arrested. Bloomberg reported that if convicted, Poursafi could face a 25-year prison sentence.

Former advisor Bolton said he has felt threatened by assassination attempts since 2020 and has been under the protection of the Secret Service since December last year. In a statement released that day, he said, "At this time, I cannot say much publicly, but the rulers of Iran are liars, terrorists, and enemies of the United States."

Bolton is known as a leading hawk in foreign policy and managed diplomatic and security policies practically for 17 months during the Trump administration. However, he resigned in 2019 after clashing with former President Trump over the lifting of sanctions on Iran.

Meanwhile, CNN reported, citing sources, that former Secretary Pompeo was also targeted by Iran. A close aide to Pompeo told CNN that the U.S. Department of Justice recently informed Pompeo that he was the second target of the IRGC following Bolton.