It is both morally and diplomatically outrageous to hear of attempts by operatives tied to the IRGC, as they planned to carry out an assassination against a former high-ranking official of the United States Government. The American Jewish Congress applauds the U.S. Department of Justice for its decision to levy criminal charges against Shahram Poursafi, an Iranian national and operative of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, for his role in planning the assassination of former U.S National Security Advisor, John Bolton.
Earlier today, it was announced that the Department of Justice has brought formal charges against Poursafi – regarding his authority “in the commission of murder-for-hire and with providing and attempting to provide material support to a transnational murder plot.” Sanctioned by Iran, the apparent targeting of a U.S. Government official is blasphemous – and is yet another indication of the plain lack of desire that Tehran holds for peace. For decades, the criminal-bearing government in Iran has resorted to terror, hysteria, and violence among its people to maintain authority and control. With that in mind, that behavior is far from acceptable amongst the international community – and even less so when it impacts the national security of the United States.
Poursafi, who remains at large, holds membership on the FBI’s most wanted list – which is where this clear and evident artist of terror, so rightfully deserves. As described by the FBI, “Poursafi allegedly used encrypted, Internet-based messaging applications to hire criminal elements within the United States to murder a former USG official in Washington D.C. or Maryland, in exchange for $300,000 USD. Poursafi allegedly provided material support and resources to facilitate the attempted transnational killing of a person within the United States, an act of terrorism. Poursafi is a uniformed member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a designated foreign terrorist organization, and is assessed to allegedly be working on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – Quds Force (IRGC- QF) to hire US-based individuals to murder a former USG official.”
Although Poursafi remains a wanted man, the American Jewish Congress hopes that he will not be one for long. We applaud the brave men and women of the FBI, and the entire Justice Department apparatus who will be responsible for his capture, and we pray for their safety as they discharge their duties to protect and defend the United States.
