Iran Threat To Trump Advisors Countered By $12m US Secret Service Operation
Iran's assassination threat against two US former national security advisers has been countered by a $12m-a-year Secret Service operation, official papers reveal.
Iran's assassination threat against two US former national security advisers has been countered by a $12m-a-year Secret Service operation, official papers reveal.
John Bolton and Robert O’Brien, who served under President Trump, are believed to have been targeted by Tehran in revenge for the killing in 2020 of Qassem Soleimani.
Iran has openly threatened to abduct and assassinate former Trump administration officials in retaliation for the death of the IRGC Commander.
Newly unveiled documents, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by CBS News' "60 Minutes," detail the extensive protection measures implemented for Bolton and O'Brien, who continued to receive Secret Service security long after their tenure in the Trump administration had ended.
The documents, submitted to Congress by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and signed by DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, outline comprehensive security arrangements.
These include dedicated special agents offering round-the-clock protection covering residences, workplaces, and both domestic and international travel.
The need for heightened security for Bolton and O'Brien was prompted by credible threats emanating from Iran, although the documents do not explicitly mention the country.
The revelation underscores the escalating tensions between Iran and former members of the Trump administration, with Iran openly targeting individuals as retaliation for past actions.
The disclosed figures reveal that for a ten-month period, expenses related to protecting Bolton amounted to $4,934,963, while those for O'Brien totaled $5,778,713 over a year-long span. Additional non-payroll expenses, such as foreign travel costs and equipment rentals, contributed to the substantial overall expenditure.
US law enforcement also protects Iranian dissidents and journalists in America due to credible threats from Iran.
British police have formed a unit to counter threats from Iran, China, and Russia. The new police unit has prevented a number of Iranian abduction and assassination plots.
