The U.S. Justice Department announced the arrest of several Iranian operatives suspected of involvement in an assassination ring that reportedly included President-elect Donald Trump among its targets. Law enforcement officials say the ring was tasked by the Iranian government to carry out a series of assassinations in the United States, including targeting political figures and regime critics.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said Iran poses one of the most serious threats to U.S. national security.

"The Justice Department has indicted an Iranian regime operative who, at the direction of the government, directed a network of criminal associates to carry out assassination plots, including attempts to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump.", Garland emphasized.

In addition, the Attorney General added that two more people have been arrested and are accused of participating in this network to assassinate an American journalist known for his criticism of the Iranian regime in the United States. The journalist's name has not yet been disclosed, but it is known that Iranian agents were planning to kill him in the United States.

The Justice Department's statement underscores that the United States will not tolerate threats to national security from foreign countries, especially those like Iran, which U.S. officials believe has repeatedly attempted to threaten American citizens and government officials.