A convicted murderer has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for accepting $100,000 from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to assassinate Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad on American soil. This high-profile case exposes a chilling and systematic pattern of foreign government assassination plots targeting dissidents, journalists, and even U.S. leaders, revealing how foreign operatives exploit domestic criminal networks to violate American sovereignty.
Story Highlights
- Carlisle Rivera received 15 years in prison for plotting to murder journalist Masih Alinejad at a 2024 Connecticut speaking event under IRGC direction.
- The same Iranian operative who directed Alinejad’s assassination also orchestrated attempts against President Trump before the 2024 election.
- This marks the third assassination or kidnapping attempt against Alinejad on U.S. soil, forcing her and her husband to flee their Brooklyn home.
- Rivera was recruited while serving time for a previous murder, revealing dangerous prison networks being exploited by foreign operatives.
Iranian Regime’s Assassination Network Exposed
Carlisle Rivera was sentenced on January 28, 2026, in Manhattan federal court for his role in a murder-for-hire conspiracy orchestrated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Prosecutors established that Rivera was hired for $100,000 to shoot dissident journalist Masih Alinejad during a 2024 speaking engagement in Connecticut. The plot came to light through federal law enforcement investigation, revealing systematic Iranian government efforts to silence critics on American territory. Rivera met the IRGC agent during an earlier prison stint for murder, demonstrating how foreign operatives exploit domestic criminal networks.
Following an investigation by FBI New York's Joint Terrorism Task Force, @NYPDnews, and @SDNYnews, Carlisle Rivera was sentenced yesterday to 15 years in prison for his participation in a murder-for-hire plot directed by the Government of Iran targeting Masih Alinejad, a… pic.twitter.com/TbIYwBEqm8
— FBI New York (@NewYorkFBI) January 29, 2026
Pattern of State-Sponsored Terror Against Free Speech
This sentencing represents the third documented assassination or kidnapping attempt against Alinejad on U.S. soil, establishing a clear pattern of Iranian government targeting. Two other men were previously sentenced in October 2025 for a separate plot to shoot Alinejad at her Brooklyn home. Federal prosecutors emphasized that the plot was directed by an Iranian operative and came down from the Iranian government, establishing undeniable state sponsorship. This systematic targeting undermines fundamental American values of free speech and press freedom, turning U.S. soil into a hunting ground for authoritarian regimes seeking to silence dissent.
Connection to Broader Iranian Assassination Campaign
The same Iranian operative directing the Alinejad assassination plots was also tasked with attempting to assassinate President Trump before the 2024 presidential election. This connection reveals a coordinated, high-level Iranian government assassination program targeting multiple high-profile individuals including American leaders. The broad scope of Iran’s assassination network demonstrates the regime’s willingness to violate U.S. sovereignty and constitutional protections. Federal law enforcement’s prosecution of these cases establishes crucial legal precedent for holding accountable those who participate in foreign state-sponsored terrorism on American soil, regardless of their role.
Dissident Journalist Vows to Continue Despite Threats
Masih Alinejad, a prominent Iranian dissident journalist and newly announced CBS News contributor, stated at sentencing that she would not consider justice served until the Iranian regime is toppled and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is jailed. Alinejad emphasized her determination to continue speaking out for freedom despite three murder plots against her. She and her husband have been forced to flee their Brooklyn home due to ongoing threats. Alinejad powerfully stated that the regime’s fear of an unarmed woman with a voice demonstrates their terror of their own people, framing her activism as evidence of the regime’s fundamental weakness and illegitimacy.
The 15-year sentence reflects federal recognition of the severity of state-sponsored assassination attempts and serves as a deterrent to those who would accept foreign money to violate American sovereignty. This case raises critical concerns about the security of Iranian-American activists, journalists, and the broader dissident community. The Iranian regime’s willingness to recruit convicted murderers from American prisons to carry out assassinations reveals sophisticated targeting of vulnerable criminal networks. Federal law enforcement’s capacity to prosecute these foreign assassination plots demonstrates important national security capabilities, but the repeated attempts against Alinejad underscore ongoing threats to Americans who exercise their constitutional rights to criticize foreign governments.
Watch the report: Man convicted of murder-for-hire plot against Iranian activist sentenced to 15 years
Sources:
- Man gets 15 years over Iran assassination plot against Brooklyn journalist – Brooklyn Eagle
- Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Murder-for-Hire Plot and Stalking of Journalist and Activist – U.S. Department of Justice
