The U.S. government has escalated efforts to track down an Iranian intelligence operative suspected of planning assassinations targeting current and former American officials, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

The FBI's Miami field office issued a public alert on Friday seeking information on Majid Dastjani Farahani, believed to be associated with Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security.

New: The FBI is hunting an Iranian assassin said to be targeting Trump admin officials https://t.co/tua5DPtLG1

— Ben Smith (@semaforben) March 4, 2024

The FBI update

According to the Bureau, Farahani has been recruiting individuals for operations in the U.S., including the potential targeting of U.S. government officials.

While the reason for issuing the alert in Florida remains unclear, a Most Wanted notice issued by the U.S. government highlighted Farahani's fluency in Spanish and his frequent travel between Iran and Venezuela.

The alert serves as a reminder of previous attempts by Iranian operatives to carry out attacks on U.S. soil, including a plot to assassinate Saudi Arabia's former ambassador to the U.S. in 2011.

Growing tensions

Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have been heightened since the assassination of Major General Qasem Soleimani by the Trump administration in 2020.

Iran has vowed to avenge Soleimani's death, and the U.S. Department of Justice has indicted members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for alleged plots against U.S. officials.

U.S. officials believe that Pompeo and Brian Hook, Trump's special envoy for Iran, are also potential targets. Both individuals are currently under round-the-clock security due to the perceived severity of the threat.

The suspect

Farahani, aged 42, is alleged to be seeking revenge for Soleimani's death and conducting surveillance activities on religious sites and other facilities in the United States. The Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Farahani in December.

The recent backing of Israel by the Biden administration in its conflict with Hamas, supported by Iran, has further strained relations between the U.S. and Iran.

Iranian-backed militias have carried out attacks on U.S. soldiers, raising concerns about the potential for direct retaliation against Iran.

Evidence suggests that Iran and its allies are operating aggressively within the U.S., including attempted attacks on individuals such as author Salman Rushdie and activist Masih Alinejad. These operations are often carried out through proxies, making attribution difficult for law enforcement agencies.

Former U.S. envoy Brian Hook recently testified before Congress about ongoing threats against him and thanked law enforcement for their protection. Iran's leadership has openly threatened retaliation for Soleimani's death, signaling continued tensions between the two countries.