Nikki Haley alleges Iran plotted her assassination through a Pakistani businessman linked to the IRGC, warning that Tehran is targeting Americans on US soil.

Former US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has alleged that Iran attempted to have her killed on American soil, citing an assassination plot involving a Pakistani businessman who was linked to Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

In a video circulating on social media, Haley recalled how a man was arrested and imprisoned after allegedly being paid by the Iranian regime to arrange her assassination through an informant.

“Just a few months ago someone was arrested and put in prison because he paid an informant to have me killed," Haley said.

She alleged that the IRGC, which she described as the Iranian regime, had paid a Pakistani businessman to carry out the operation.

“That’s the reason why I’m so adamant about Iran is that they are targeting Americans on American soil," she said, adding that Iran had also attempted to target US President Donald Trump multiple times.

Haley’s remarks come amid the ongoing US-Iran conflict, with Washington maintaining military pressure on Tehran even as diplomatic efforts to end the hostilities continue.

PAKISTANI BUSINESSMAN CONVICTED IN IRAN-LINKED ASSASSINATION PLOT

Haley’s remarks refer to the case of Asif Merchant, a Pakistani national who was convicted by a US federal jury in March 2026 on charges of murder-for-hire and attempting to commit an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries.

According to the US Department of Justice, Merchant was an operative of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and had travelled to the United States in April 2024 to arrange political assassinations and steal documents.

In June 2024, Merchant met individuals he believed could help execute the plan in New York. However, they were undercover US law enforcement officers. He paid them $5,000 as an advance for the proposed assassination, the Justice Department said.

During his trial, Merchant testified that an Iranian handler had mentioned three potential targets: Trump, former US President Joe Biden and Haley.

Merchant, however, claimed that he had participated in the operation under pressure because he feared for the safety of his family in Iran. He maintained that he expected to be arrested before anyone could be killed.

The Iranian government has denied allegations that it plotted to assassinate US officials.

TRUMP HOLDS OFF ON FRESH IRAN STRIKES AMID DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS

Haley’s warning comes at a time when tensions between Washington and Tehran remain high, although Trump has indicated that he is holding off on fresh military strikes for now.

According to Reuters, Trump said on Monday that he planned to defer additional attacks on Iran following appeals from regional countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait.

The US President said Washington would maintain its naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz but did not rule out further military action.

“The United States of America is fully locked and loaded with the best equipment ever made, and we don’t think there’s going to be any reason to use it," Trump told reporters, according to Reuters.

His remarks came after a meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, who has been involved in diplomatic efforts to bridge differences between Washington and Tehran.

However, a breakthrough remains uncertain.

Iran has demanded an end to the US blockade of its ports, the lifting of some sanctions and a halt to bombing as part of its proposal to end the conflict.

Washington has rejected Tehran’s conditions, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio describing them as “outrageous and ridiculous and really not realistic".

Meanwhile, military activity in the region continues, with reports of US strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island and attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz.