'Saudi Ambassador was never in danger'Officials said that the Saudi ambassador, Adel Al-Jubeir, was never in danger. US President Barack Obama was briefed in June about the alleged plot and through a spokesman expressed gratitude for it being disrupted.The assassination plot began to unfold in May 2011 when Arbabsiar approached an individual in Mexico to help, but that individual turned out to be an informant for the US Drug Enforcement Administration.The confidential source, who was not identified, immediately tipped law enforcement agents, according to the criminal complaint. Arbabsiar paid $100,000 to the informant in July and August for the plot, a down payment on the $1.5 million requested.Shakuri approved the plan to kill the ambassador during telephone conversations with Arbabsiar, the complaint said.After Arbabsiar was arrested in New York, he allegedly confessed and provided US authorities with more details about the Iranian government's alleged involvement, Holder said.The men are charged with one count of conspiracy to murder a foreign official, two counts of foreign travel and use of interstate and foreign commerce facilities in the commission of murder for hire and one count each of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction and conspiracy to commit an act of terrorism.Authorities said no explosives were acquired for the plot and the weapon of mass destruction charge can range from a simple improvised device to a more significant weapon. They face up to life in prison if convicted.
US charges Iranians for plotting to kill Saudi ambassador
Top officials in Revolutionary Guard were connected to plot, US attorney-general says; Tehran rejects charges as "prefabricated scenario."
'Saudi Ambassador was never in danger'Officials said that the Saudi ambassador, Adel Al-Jubeir, was never in danger. US President Barack Obama was briefed in June about the alleged plot and through a spokesman expressed gratitude for it being disrupted.The assassination plot began to unfold in May 2011 when Arbabsiar approached an individual in Mexico to help, but that individual turned out to be an informant for the US Drug Enforcement Administration.The confidential source, who was not identified, immediately tipped law enforcement agents, according to the criminal complaint. Arbabsiar paid $100,000 to the informant in July and August for the plot, a down payment on the $1.5 million requested.Shakuri approved the plan to kill the ambassador during telephone conversations with Arbabsiar, the complaint said.After Arbabsiar was arrested in New York, he allegedly confessed and provided US authorities with more details about the Iranian government's alleged involvement, Holder said.The men are charged with one count of conspiracy to murder a foreign official, two counts of foreign travel and use of interstate and foreign commerce facilities in the commission of murder for hire and one count each of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction and conspiracy to commit an act of terrorism.Authorities said no explosives were acquired for the plot and the weapon of mass destruction charge can range from a simple improvised device to a more significant weapon. They face up to life in prison if convicted.