The US is offering a $20m reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Shahram Poursafi, a member of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) who is accused of plotting to assassinate former US national security advisor John Bolton.
The US State Department says that between 2021-2022, Poursafi was working on behalf of the IRGC’s Quds Force to hire criminals to murder Bolton in Washington DC and Maryland. Poursafi is said to have been offering $300,000 for the job.
“Poursafi told the potential assassin - who actually became a confidential source for US investigators - that once he completed the Bolton murder, he would have a second assassination job for him,” the administration statement reads.
When Bolton first learned of the plot in 2022, he was asked on CNN what went through his mind. “Well, I was embarrassed at the low price,” Bolton responded. “I would have thought it would have been higher. But I guess maybe it was the exchange rate problem or something.”
“Well, I was embarrassed at the low price,” Bolton responded. "I would have thought it would have been higher.
Yeah, well, I’m surprised it was that high.
I could hardly believe it when I heard the news today
I had to come and get it straight from you
They said, you were leaving, someone swept your heart away
From that look upon your face, I see it’s true
So tell me all about it, tell me 'bout the plans you’re making
Oh, tell me one thing more before I goTell me, how am I supposed to live without you?
Now that l’ve been loving you so long How am I supposed to live without you?
And how am I supposed to carry on When all that l’ve been living for is gone?
I’m too proud for crying, didn’t come here to break down
It’s just a dream of mine is coming to an end…
Eh, nah. How much do I get for catching Bolton and delivering him to The Hague?
