Ryan Wesley Routh, a 58-year-old man, is under suspicion for attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump, raising international concerns.

Routh's alleged connections in Iran have fueled speculation about potential involvement from foreign governments, particularly that in Tehran, in the plot to kill Trump, as Breitbart reports.

The suspect's past recruitment efforts of former Afghan soldiers in Iran and Pakistan to fight in Ukraine have raised questions about whether he may have been manipulated by foreign actors.

The suspicions stem largely from Routh's known ties to Afghan special operations soldiers who fled to Iran after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Many of these U.S.-trained Afghan soldiers, facing tough living conditions in Iran, reportedly looked for opportunities to fight in other conflicts, including Ukraine, where Routh attempted to recruit them.

Routh’s Ties to Iranian and Russian Interests

Routh’s activities have come to light through the reporting of journalist Thomas Gibbons-Neff, who learned of Routh’s efforts to recruit Afghan special forces from Najim Rahim, a source with connections to a former Afghan soldier in Iran. These Afghan commandos, who were trained by the U.S., potentially carried sensitive knowledge that could have been valuable to foreign governments, particularly Iran.

According to reports, Afghan military personnel in Iran have been approached to fight in other conflict zones. Former Afghan army chief General Haibatullah Alizai noted that Afghan soldiers attempting to extend their visas in Iran were told to go to Yemen to support the Houthi fighters. This suggests potential coercion by Iran to involve these soldiers in its regional conflicts.

Mohammad Farid Ahmadi, another military figure, confirmed that Afghan special forces have become involved in several global conflicts, including Ukraine, Yemen, and Russia, although typically in small groups.

Iranian and Russian Connections Heighten Concerns

Iran and Russia have been reported as working together in various regions, and both countries are thought to be recruiting Afghan soldiers to fight in conflicts like the one in Ukraine. Some of these soldiers were allegedly offered substantial financial incentives by Russia, including $1,500-a-month payments and safe havens for their families, which would have been difficult for them to refuse, given the dire circumstances in Iran.

Routh’s actions placed him in the spotlight of both the Iranian and Russian governments. Despite his documented hostility toward Russia, Routh expressed sympathy for Iran. His self-published e-book in 2023, where he apologized to Iran for voting for Trump and openly stated they were free to assassinate both Trump and himself, has raised additional red flags regarding his state of mind and potential influences.

Possible Iranian Involvement in Assassination Plot

The notion of Iranian involvement has been further amplified by comments from Mike Benz, who suggested that Routh might have been part of a broader Iranian plot. Benz referenced a CIA operation that recently thwarted an assassination attempt on Trump by a Pakistani national with ties to Iran, noting that Routh’s profile matches such an operation.

Benz’s theory is supported by former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino, who raised alarms about the potential for foreign nationals to infiltrate U.S. security services through "honeypot traps." Bongino pointed to Iran’s longstanding desire to assassinate Trump and their use of social engineering tactics to compromise U.S. personnel.

Routh’s Activities in Ukraine and Washington, D.C.

In addition to his recruitment efforts, Routh traveled extensively, including trips to both Ukraine and Washington, D.C., where he sought meetings with U.S. lawmakers and officials. He claimed to have worked alongside Malcolm Nance, a former U.S. naval intelligence analyst, while in Ukraine, although there is no verification of this claim.

Routh’s attempts to join the fight in Ukraine were reportedly unsuccessful, as he was rejected due to his age and lack of military experience. Nevertheless, he remained committed to his goal of assisting in Ukraine’s defense by continuing his recruitment efforts in Pakistan, where he planned to obtain fake passports for Afghan soldiers to facilitate their travel to the war-torn country.

International Plot Unfolds Amid Political Tensions

These developments have led to increased speculation about the motivations behind Routh’s actions. His erratic behavior, along with his clear affiliations with foreign entities, has drawn scrutiny from multiple angles. His actions in recruiting Afghan soldiers to fight in Ukraine and his pro-Iranian sentiments have placed him at the center of a potential international conspiracy involving both Iranian and Russian interests.

The story also echoes broader geopolitical issues, such as the cooperation between Iran and Russia, especially in Ukraine, where both countries have been accused of reverse-engineering U.S. military equipment. Routh’s involvement in these dynamics, whether intentional or as a pawn of larger forces, has raised serious questions about foreign influence and interference in domestic U.S. affairs.

Unanswered Questions About Foreign Influence

Routh’s case, while unique, may be part of a larger pattern of foreign involvement in U.S. politics and security. The question of whether Routh was exploited by Iranian or Russian operatives, or whether he acted independently, remains unanswered.

However, his connections to Afghan soldiers in Iran and his travels to Ukraine and Washington have made him a figure of interest in the broader context of global political machinations.

As investigations continue, the potential implications of Routh’s actions and his foreign connections could shape future discussions about the vulnerability of former U.S. officials to international threats.