Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

US: Iranians Plotted to Kill Saudi Envoy in DC

One man arrested; another is at large

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 11, 2011 2:02 PM CDT

(Newser) – The US has accused two men of attempting to kill the Saudi ambassador to the US and attack the Saudi and Israeli embassies in Washington at the behest of “factions of the Iranian government.” One of the men, named Manssor Arbabsiar, was arrested on Sept. 29, but his apprehension was announced only today, MSNBC reports. The other suspect, who was identified as Gholam Shakuri, is still at large, Eric Holder said.

Both men are from Iran, though Arbabsiar is a naturalized US citizen. Arbabsiar has confessed to the plot, saying he was working for the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard, according to the attorney general. The government learned of the plot when Arbabsiar allegedly attempted to ask Mexico’s Zeta drug cartel for help in the assassination—and unwittingly contacted an undercover DEA agent. Arbabsiar allegedly sent the agent $50,000 as a downpayment for the hit, and promised the Zetas “tons of opium” from Iran.

Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the US, Adel al-Jubeir, speaks to the media during the Mideast conference in Annapolis, Md., in 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

CLICK BELOW TO VOTE

11%

49%

25%

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Iran Willing to Attack US: Report

Director of National Intelligence thinks Iran is 'plotting against US interests'

(NEWSER) - Iran no longer appears to have any reservations about launching attacks on US soil, National Intelligence Director James Clapper said in Senate testimony today. The new assessment is based in part on Iran's alleged attempt to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the US. The incident "shows that some Iranian officials—probably including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei —have changed their calculus and are now more willing to conduct an attack in the United States," Clapper said, according to the Washington Post . More»

Suspect Pleads Not Guilty in Saudi Murder Plot

Manssor Arbabsiar says US invented the plot as a political tool

(NEWSER) - The Iranian-American accused of conspiring to kill the Saudi Arabian ambassador to the US pleaded not guilty today at a federal court. Manssor Arbabsiar, 56, faces charges of conspiracy to murder a foreign official, conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction, and conspiracy to commit an act of terrorism, among others. The AP reports that Arbabsiar had previously admitted his role in a criminal complaint. More»

Obama: Iran Plot Evidence Will Convince Skeptics

President calls for 'toughest sanctions'

(NEWSER) - The alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Saudi Arabia's man in Washington sounds far-fetched, but skeptical foreign governments have been presented with evidence, State Department officials say. President Obama, in his first remarks about the plot, promised to push for "the toughest sanctions" against Iran and said US officials know that the Iranian-American man involved "had direct links, was paid by, and directed by individuals in the Iranian government," the New York Times reports. More»

US Vows Iran Will Be Held Accountable

Clinton: 'Very strong message' to be sent to Tehran

(NEWSER) - The plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the US had the support of elements of the Iranian government and Iran is going to pay, US officials vow. "The United States is committed to holding Iran accountable," Attorney General Eric Holder told reporters after the plot was exposed. Hillary Clinton says the US plans to work with its allies—and countries that might have previously been on the fence— to further isolate Iran and "send a very strong message that this kind of action, which violates international norms, must be ended," Fox reports. More»

Iranian Terror Suspect Had the Right Connections

Mansour Arbabsiar had Iranian military ties, business in Mexico

(NEWSER) - Iranians trying to recruit Mexican drug cartels to kill the Saudi ambassador? The terror plot US authorities say has been foiled sounds far-fetched, but it appears less so after a look at the man in the middle of it, the Washington Post finds. Mansour Arbabsiar, a 56-year-old Iranian American, had close ties to the elite Iranian Revolutionary Guard unit accused of carrying out attacks abroad, and lived in Texas and frequently did business across the border in Mexico. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

US: Iranians Plotted to Kill Saudi Envoy in DC

One man arrested; another is at large

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Iran • Saudi Arabia • embassy • Iranian Revolutionary Guard • assassination attempt • Zetas • Manssor Arbabsiar • Gholam Shakuri

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Iran Willing to Attack US: Report

Director of National Intelligence thinks Iran is 'plotting against US interests'

Suspect Pleads Not Guilty in Saudi Murder Plot

Manssor Arbabsiar says US invented the plot as a political tool

Obama: Iran Plot Evidence Will Convince Skeptics

President calls for 'toughest sanctions'

US Vows Iran Will Be Held Accountable

Clinton: 'Very strong message' to be sent to Tehran

Iranian Terror Suspect Had the Right Connections

Mansour Arbabsiar had Iranian military ties, business in Mexico

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?