2011 alleged Iran assassination plot
On 11 October 2011, United States officials alleged there was a plot tied to the Iranian government to assassinate Saudi ambassador Adel al-Jubeir in the United States. The plot was referred to as the "Iran assassination plot" or the "Iran terror plot" in the media, while the Federal Bureau of Investigation named the case "Operation Red Coalition". Iranian nationals Manssor Arbabsiar and Gholam Shakuri were charged on 11 October 2011 in federal court in New York with plotting to assassinate Al-Jubeir. According to U.S. officials, the two planned to kill Al-Jubeir at a restaurant with a bomb and subsequently bomb the Saudi embassy and the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C. Bombings in Buenos Aires were also discussed. Arbabsiar was arrested on 29 September 2011 at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York while Shakuri remained at large. On 24 October 2011, Arbabsiar pleaded not guilty. In May 2013, after pleading guilty, Arbabsiar was sentenced to 25-years imprisonment.
| Part of Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict and Iran–Israel proxy conflict | |
Ambassador Adel al-Jubeir | |
| Date | 29 September 2011 (arrests) 11 October 2011 (announcement) |
|---|---|
| Venue | A local restaurant, the Embassy of Israel and the Embassy of Saudi Arabia |
| Location | Washington, D.C. |
| Also known as | Iran assassination plot or the "Iran terror plot" (media) Operation Red Coalition (FBI) |
| Type | Terrorism |
| Cause | Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict |
| Suspects | Manssor Arbabsiar and Gholam Shakuri (at large) |
| Convicted | 30 May 2013 |
| Charges | To participate in a plot allegedly directed by elements of the Iranian government to murder the Saudi Ambassador to the United States with explosives |
| Verdict | Guilty |
| Sentence | 25 years imprisonment (Manssor Arbabsiar) |
It is debated whether the Iranian government condoned or facilitated the plot; some experts suggested that the planners may be rogue elements within the Iranian secret service.