Masih Alinejad Defies Threats Amid Iranian Assassination Plot

Masih Alinejad Defies Threats Amid Iranian Assassination Plot \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Masih Alinejad, an Iranian American activist and vocal critic of the Tehran government, remains undeterred after the U.S. Justice Department revealed plots by Iranian operatives to assassinate her. Alinejad, who has survived multiple attempts to silence her, expressed determination to amplify the voices of Iranian women despite ongoing threats. Her defiance in Berlin during a human rights event underscores her relentless fight for freedom and justice.

Masih Alinejad: A Voice of Defiance Amid Threats: Quick Looks

• Defiant Act in Berlin: Alinejad sang in Farsi in a Berlin cafe, symbolizing her resistance.
• U.S. Justice Department Revelation: Iranian plots to assassinate Alinejad and former President Trump were disclosed.
• Surveillance and Arrests: Two individuals arrested after months of tracking Alinejad on behalf of an Iranian operative.
• Ongoing Threats: The Iranian government continues targeting Alinejad for her activism against women’s oppression.
• Protective Measures: Alinejad expressed gratitude for U.S. law enforcement efforts in protecting her.
• Tehran’s Denial: Iranian officials claim the assassination plot is an Israeli conspiracy to damage U.S.-Iran relations.
• A History of Activism: Alinejad fled Iran after the 2009 election and has worked for Voice of America since 2015.
• Advocacy Focus: Alinejad continues to oppose Iran’s mandatory hijab laws and promote women’s rights.

Deep Look

Amid the conversations and clinking cups in a Berlin hotel cafe, the voice of Masih Alinejad, an Iranian American activist, rang out boldly in Farsi. She sang, “I blossom through my wounds and my scars. Because I am a woman. I am a woman. I am a woman,” a line heavy with defiance and determination. Around her, waiters paused and three German government bodyguards listened, drawn to the powerful moment that symbolized Alinejad’s fearless stance against oppression. For Alinejad, this public assertion came in the wake of harrowing news: the U.S. Justice Department had revealed a murder-for-hire plot by Iranian operatives, targeting her and former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Alinejad, who was in Berlin to mark the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall alongside human rights activists from around the world, expressed a profound sense of determination despite the threats. “They want to get rid of me. When they want me dead, it means that I’m doing something. I’m hurting them so bad,” said Alinejad, 48, in an interview with The Associated Press. The plots, she suggested, are evidence of the power behind her advocacy. Throughout the discussion, she frequently raised a fist in a gesture of defiance, underlining her refusal to be silenced.

The U.S. Justice Department’s recent disclosures shed light on the nature of these threats. According to officials, Farhad Shakeri, identified as an Iranian government operative, was tasked with coordinating an assassination plot targeting both Alinejad and Trump. Shakeri, who has previously served prison time in the U.S. for robbery and is alleged to maintain a network of criminal associates, remains in Iran. The Justice Department named Jonathan Loadholt and Carlisle Rivera as Shakeri’s accomplices, who were arrested on charges of conducting months-long surveillance on Alinejad’s home and movements.

The detailed surveillance involved tracking her presence at public events, including a February visit to Fairfield University in Connecticut, where she was set to speak. The Justice Department’s statement revealed that Shakeri sent Rivera voice notes with precise instructions. “You gotta wait and have patience to catch her either going in the house or coming out, or following her out somewhere and taking care of it,” Shakeri said. These messages laid bare the calculated nature of the plot and the lengths to which Tehran would go to silence Alinejad.

Despite the severity of these threats, Alinejad expressed gratitude for the U.S. law enforcement’s vigilance. “It’s scary. But at the same time, I was very pleased that the U.S. law enforcement is protecting me,” she said. The activist also viewed the shared target status with a former U.S. president as significant. “The same person who was trying to kill President Trump was assigned to kill me as well. I mean, that’s a badge of honor,” she added, recognizing the unique importance of her advocacy work in drawing international attention.

Iran’s government, however, has denied any involvement. Esmail Baghaei, a spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, labeled the plot as a fabrication by Israel-aligned groups meant to complicate relations between Tehran and Washington. The official IRNA news agency echoed this narrative, framing the disclosure as politically motivated.

Alinejad, who has worked for U.S.-funded Voice of America’s Farsi-language network since 2015, is well known for her criticisms of the Iranian regime, particularly regarding women’s rights and the enforcement of the mandatory hijab. She fled Iran after the contentious 2009 presidential elections and was granted U.S. citizenship in 2019. Her prominence on Farsi-language satellite channels critical of Iran has made her a target, as these broadcasts resonate with millions in and outside of Iran who seek uncensored information.

The activist’s fight against the compulsory hijab and broader gender discrimination remains central to her mission. “The fact that the Iranian government has repeatedly tried to kill me makes me more determined to give voice to powerful women inside Iran who are facing the same killers every single day,” Alinejad stated. Her advocacy gained further urgency following the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who died after being arrested by the morality police for allegedly violating hijab regulations. Amini’s death ignited nationwide protests, shedding a global spotlight on the systemic repression of women in Iran.

Alinejad’s work is not without sacrifice. In addition to surviving multiple assassination plots, she has faced constant threats and harassment. Yet, she draws strength from these challenges, seeing them as confirmation of her impact. “I am echoing the voice of powerful women, and that scares them,” she said, acknowledging the weight of representing a movement that demands freedom and dignity for women under the shadow of a repressive regime.

The Justice Department’s actions underscore the global nature of the threats Alinejad faces, illustrating a complex web of state-sponsored operations intended to silence dissidents far beyond Iran’s borders. The ongoing support of U.S. law enforcement and international allies offers some measure of protection, yet Alinejad’s resilience remains her strongest defense.

Her recent defiant act of singing in Berlin and her commitment to advocacy send a powerful message: despite being targeted by a regime known for its brutal suppression, Alinejad refuses to yield. Her story continues to inspire both Iranians fighting for their rights and a global audience that stands with them in solidarity.

More on World News

Masih Alinejad