‘We Need to Kill Ivanka…’: Iran’s Alleged Terror Plot Against Trump’s Daughter
In a chilling case highlighting ongoing Iran-US tensions, an Iraqi national with ties to Iran-backed militant groups was arrested for an alleged plot targeting Ivanka Trump, the daughter of US President Donald Trump. The suspect reportedly sought revenge for the 2020 US assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani.
The Arrest and Allegations
Turkish authorities arrested 32-year-old Mohammad Bagher Saad Dawood Al-Saadi (also known as Mohammad Baqer Al-Saadi) on May 15, 2026. He was subsequently extradited to the United States, where he faces charges related to terrorism support and conspiracy involving attacks on US, Israeli, and Jewish targets.
According to intelligence sources and media reports, Al-Saadi possessed a blueprint of Ivanka Trump’s Florida residence and made explicit online threats. These included warnings that “neither your palaces nor the Secret Service will protect you.” He is linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and groups such as Kata’ib Hezbollah, a powerful Iran-backed Iraqi militia.
A particularly disturbing detail emerged from statements attributed to Al-Saadi following Soleimani’s death. A former Iraqi embassy official told reporters that Al-Saadi had circulated comments along the lines of: “We need to kill Ivanka to burn down the house of Trump the way he burned down our house.”
The Motive: Revenge for Soleimani
The plot’s roots trace directly to January 2020, when the US, under then-President Donald Trump, carried out a drone strike in Baghdad that killed Qasem Soleimani, the commander of the IRGC’s Quds Force. Iran hailed Soleimani as a national hero and vowed retaliation. Al-Saadi reportedly viewed Soleimani as a mentor and was radicalized by his death.
Targeting Ivanka Trump was framed as symbolic payback — striking at the heart of the Trump family to mirror Iran’s perceived loss. This fits a broader pattern of Iranian efforts to retaliate against Trump and his administration for the Soleimani killing, the “maximum pressure” sanctions campaign, and US support for Israel.
Broader Context of Iran-US Hostilities
Iran and its network of proxies, including Hezbollah, the Houthis, and various Iraqi militias, have a documented history of using asymmetric tactics such as proxy attacks, assassinations, and terror plots against American targets. Plots against Trump himself and members of his circle have surfaced in recent years, especially amid escalated conflicts in 2026 involving US and Israeli actions against Iranian interests.
By using proxies and operatives like Al-Saadi, Iran seeks deniability while pursuing its objectives. US authorities have heightened security for the Trump family in response to such threats.
The foiling of this plot through international cooperation underscores the persistent dangers posed by Iran-backed terrorism. As the case proceeds in US courts, it serves as a stark reminder of the deep-seated grudges fueling conflict in the region.
About The Author
