A dramatic twist has emerged in an alleged assassination plot targeting Donald Trump, after the main suspect told a U.S. court that he was forced by Iranian operatives to participate in the plan.

According to reports by Reuters, the accused — identified as Asif Merchant — claimed during his trial that he did not willingly take part in the scheme. Instead, he said he was pressured by members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, who allegedly threatened his family.

Merchant told jurors that he became involved after Iranian contacts allegedly pushed him to recruit people in the United States to carry out attacks on American political figures. Authorities say potential targets discussed in the plot included Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and Nikki Haley.

Investigators claim Merchant even attempted to hire hitmen and reportedly paid $5,000 to individuals he believed were criminals, not realizing they were undercover FBI agents. The suspect was later arrested and charged with terrorism and murder-for-hire offenses.

However, prosecutors have strongly disputed his claim of coercion, arguing there is little evidence to support the argument that he acted under duress.

The case, which has drawn international attention, comes amid heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, with authorities continuing to investigate whether the alleged plot had any real backing from Tehran.

The trial is ongoing in a federal court in New York.