Off The Record Podcast
Off The Record Podcast
May 23, 2026

LIVE: IRGC Assassination Plot Against Ivanka Trump - U.S. Prepare Military Strikes

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Quick Read

An IRGC agent was arrested for plotting to assassinate Ivanka Trump, revealing a broader network of attacks in the West and escalating tensions that have put US and Israeli forces on standby for military strikes against Iran.
IRGC agent Muhammad Bagher Assad Dawood al-Saadi, linked to multiple recent terror attacks in the West, was arrested for plotting Ivanka Trump's assassination.
Israel launched major strikes on IRGC-backed Hezbollah in southern Lebanon as US military options against Iran remain on standby.
The IRGC's non-traditional, resilient structure and control over the Strait of Hormuz complicate diplomatic and military solutions.

Summary

The episode details the arrest of Muhammad Bagher Assad Dawood al-Saadi, a high-profile IRGC agent, for plotting to assassinate Ivanka Trump and possessing blueprints of her Florida home. Al-Saadi is linked to multiple recent terror attacks in Europe and North America, operating through sleeper cells and using a 'religious travel agency' as cover. The host emphasizes that these were not isolated incidents, contrary to mainstream media reports. Concurrently, Israel has launched major strikes against IRGC-backed Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, and US military action against Iran remains a possibility, with the Strait of Hormuz becoming a critical point of contention due to Iran's demands for a new payment system for passage. The host criticizes the IRGC's negotiating tactics and highlights the unique, resilient nature of the IRGC's command structure, which makes traditional regime change strategies less effective.
This episode highlights the direct and escalating threat posed by the IRGC to Western targets and individuals, including high-profile figures like Ivanka Trump, demonstrating the reach of Iranian-backed terror networks. It underscores the immediate geopolitical instability in the Middle East, with US and Israeli forces on high alert, and reveals the complex, non-traditional nature of the IRGC's operational resilience, which complicates military responses. The host's critique of mainstream media's reporting on these incidents also raises questions about information dissemination and public awareness during times of international tension.

Takeaways

  • A high-profile IRGC agent, Muhammad Bagher Assad Dawood al-Saadi, was arrested in Turkey and extradited to the US for plotting to assassinate Ivanka Trump.
  • Al-Saadi is implicated in 18 recent terror attacks and attempted attacks in Europe and North America, including a firebombing in Amsterdam and stabbings in London.
  • The IRGC uses 'religious travel agencies' and other community-based services as cover for its terror network operations in the West.
  • Israel's Defense Forces have launched significant military strikes against IRGC-Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.
  • Nuclear talks with Iran have been called off, with the IRGC demanding an end to conflict before negotiations, while also asserting control over the Strait of Hormuz.
  • The IRGC's leadership structure is described as highly decentralized and resilient, making traditional military strategies for regime collapse less effective.

Insights

1IRGC Agent Arrested for Ivanka Trump Assassination Plot

Muhammad Bagher Assad Dawood al-Saadi, a 32-year-old high-profile IRGC agent, was arrested in Turkey and extradited to the US. He is accused of plotting to assassinate Ivanka Trump and possessed blueprints of her Florida home. His motivation was reportedly revenge for President Trump's actions against IRGC leadership, including Qassem Soleimani.

Al-Saadi went around telling people that 'we need to kill Ivanka and burn down the house of Trump the way he burned down our house.' He was captured in Turkey, a NATO member, and extradited to the US under pressure from American authorities.

2IRGC Network Behind Recent Western Terror Attacks

Al-Saadi is charged with 18 attacks and attempted attacks across Europe and the United States, indicating a coordinated network rather than isolated incidents. These include the firebombing of the Bank of New Mellon in Amsterdam (March), stabbing attacks on Jewish victims in London (April), and a shooting at a US consulate building in Toronto (March).

The host explicitly states, 'These attacks were not isolated incidents. They were all connected and there it was a a network behind it and the network goes back to Tehran.'

3Israel Launches Major Strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have conducted significant military strikes on the IRGC's Hezbollah branch in Tyre, southern Lebanon. Israeli Air Force fighter jets carried out precise attacks on the Baqqa area, targeting military equipment and weapons stored by Hezbollah, following intelligence on their movement.

Video footage of the strikes was shown, and the host stated, 'the Israeli Air Force fighter jets carried out precise attacks on the Baqqa area. They did give a notice to the civilians and they but they knew that there were a lot of uh military equipment and weapons stored by Hezbollah.'

4Strait of Hormuz Becomes Key Diplomatic Obstacle

The IRGC has imposed a new 'payment system' for oil tankers exiting the Strait of Hormuz, demanding fees for passage. This demand, alongside their refusal to negotiate nuclear issues before an end to conflict, has become a major diplomatic roadblock, complicating any potential de-escalation.

The host explains, 'The only issue is when you want to come out of the Strait of Hormuz to go back to Gulf of Oman, the IRGC will force you to pay them.' He adds, 'That's one of the major points of blocking any talk any type of diplomacy. It's not really just about the nuclear issue.'

Bottom Line

The IRGC exploits seemingly innocuous sectors like 'religious travel agencies' and 'Sharia-based financial services' in Western countries to establish cover and connect with terror cells, leveraging perceived cultural diversity as a shield against scrutiny.

So What?

This highlights a critical vulnerability in Western security vetting processes and intelligence gathering, where legitimate-looking businesses can mask extensive terror networks, making it harder to identify and dismantle them.

Impact

Develop advanced intelligence frameworks that analyze non-traditional indicators and patterns within seemingly legitimate community services to detect and disrupt covert terror financing and operational networks more effectively.

The IRGC's operational model, characterized by a decentralized, 'hydra-headed' leadership where younger, lower-ranking members quickly ascend upon the elimination of senior figures, makes it uniquely resistant to traditional decapitation strikes aimed at regime collapse.

So What?

Conventional military strategies focused on eliminating top leadership or capturing capitals are insufficient against the IRGC, as the organization can rapidly regenerate and continue operations from hidden bunkers and dispersed cells.

Impact

Shift counter-terrorism strategies to focus on systemic disruption of the IRGC's financial, logistical, and recruitment pipelines, rather than solely targeting high-value individuals, to degrade its long-term operational capacity.

Quotes

"

"After Qassem was killed, Al-Saadi went around telling people that we need to kill Ivanka and burn down the house of Trump the way he burned down our house."

Host (quoting Al-Saadi)
"

"These attacks were not isolated incidents. They were all connected and there it was a a network behind it and the network goes back to Tehran."

Ammar Tusi
"

"Wherever it is necessary to fight, we will fight. And wherever it is necessary to negotiate, we will negotiate."

Immediate Araqchi (Iranian Foreign Minister)
"

"If Trump commits a foolish act and returns to war, our response will be even stronger and more destructive."

Qalibaf (Speaker of Iranian Parliament)

Q&A

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