Fact Check: "Suspect has connections to Iran's Revolutionary Guards"
What We Know
The claim regarding the suspect's connections to Iran's Revolutionary Guards is substantiated by a recent legal case involving Mohammad Reza Nouri, an officer in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Nouri has been charged with orchestrating the murder of American citizen Stephen Troell in Baghdad, Iraq, on November 7, 2022. According to the Department of Justice, Nouri allegedly gathered intelligence on Troell, procured weapons, and coordinated the attack that led to Troell's death. The IRGC, which operates under the authority of Iran's Supreme Leader, has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. Secretary of State since April 15, 2019, due to its involvement in various acts of terrorism and aggression against U.S. citizens and interests abroad.
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim that Nouri has connections to the IRGC is robust and comes from credible sources, including official U.S. government statements and legal documents. The unsealed complaint against Nouri details his role in the murder plot, including the collection of personal information about Troell and the coordination with co-conspirators to execute the attack. The FBI and the Department of Justice have both emphasized the IRGC's ongoing efforts to target U.S. citizens, highlighting the organization's commitment to vengeance for the death of Qasem Soleimani, a senior IRGC commander killed by a U.S. drone strike in 2020 (Justice Department).
Moreover, the IRGC's history of conducting operations against perceived enemies, including U.S. citizens, further corroborates the claim. Reports indicate that the IRGC has been involved in various assassination plots and terrorist activities outside Iran, targeting individuals it deems threats to the regime (BBC). The reliability of these sources is high, as they come from official government statements and reputable news organizations that have covered the activities of the IRGC extensively.
While there are other reports of Iranian nationals being arrested for various offenses, including alleged connections to foreign intelligence agencies (BBC), these do not directly contradict the specific claim about Nouri's connections to the IRGC.
Conclusion
The claim that the suspect has connections to Iran's Revolutionary Guards is True. The evidence presented through legal charges, government statements, and credible news reports clearly establishes Nouri's affiliation with the IRGC and his involvement in orchestrating a murder plot against an American citizen. The IRGC's history of targeting U.S. nationals further supports this conclusion.
