A senior officer in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is facing serious charges related to the murder of an American citizen in Iraq. Mohammad Reza Nouri, a 36-year-old Iranian national, is accused of orchestrating the death of Stephen Troell, a 45-year-old U.S. citizen who lived in Baghdad. The murder occurred on November 7, 2022, when Troell, originally from Tennessee, was shot and killed while driving home from work with his wife. The attack was carried out in retaliation for the 2020 death of Qasem Soleimani, a high-ranking Iranian general, who was killed by a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad.
The Iranian government had openly stated its desire to avenge Soleimani’s death, and this tragic event is believed to be part of that broader plan. Troell’s murder was a targeted attack, and it is alleged that Nouri played a central role in planning the operation on behalf of the IRGC, an organization that has been labeled a terrorist group by the U.S. government.
Nouri’s Role in the Plot to Kill Troell
Court documents reveal that Nouri, acting as an officer for the IRGC, gathered detailed information about Troell’s personal life. He is accused of using informants and sources who had access to Troell’s daily routine, including his work schedule, home address, and even the names of his family members. This critical information was used to plan the ambush and ensure the attack would be successful.
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In the weeks leading up to the murder, Nouri is said to have coordinated with his co-conspirators to gather the necessary resources for the operation. This included obtaining firearms and a vehicle that would be used during the attack. Nouri worked closely with other members of the IRGC and a network of operatives who were recruited to carry out the plan.
On the evening of November 7, 2022, Troell and his wife were ambushed by heavily armed gunmen. The attackers blocked their car and approached Troell’s vehicle with assault weapons. The gunmen shot and killed Troell in cold blood, while his wife witnessed the entire ordeal. According to reports, Nouri and his co-conspirators were in constant communication before and after the murder. Nouri, via encrypted messages, checked on the condition of the operatives involved in the attack. He is said to have expressed satisfaction with how the mission unfolded, even though one of the attackers had been injured during the shooting.
The Aftermath and Nouri’s Arrest
After the murder, Nouri and the group of operatives involved in the killing left Iraq and entered Iran. In Iran, Nouri arranged for the attackers to be provided with shelter and housing. Nouri and other IRGC officials reportedly congratulated the operatives for successfully carrying out the mission and falsely claimed that Troell had been a spy for the United States and Israel. Nouri and his associates also spread false claims about Troell’s work, suggesting that he was spreading dangerous ideas to the Iraqi people and that his actions threatened Islam.
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Nouri’s connection to the murder did not go unnoticed. In March 2023, Nouri was arrested by Iraqi authorities for his role in the killing. He was convicted by an Iraqi court for his involvement in the plot to murder Troell, but the U.S. government continued to pursue additional charges against him. Nouri remains in custody in Iraq, awaiting further legal action.
Nouri faces several serious charges, including conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization resulting in death, conspiracy to murder a U.S. national, and using firearms to cause death. If convicted of these charges, Nouri could face life in prison or even the death penalty.
This case sheds light on the ongoing threat posed by the IRGC and its role in orchestrating attacks against U.S. citizens and others around the world. The Iranian regime has been linked to various acts of terrorism, including plots to target American nationals, and the U.S. government has made it clear that it will hold those responsible accountable. Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, continue to investigate and work with international partners to bring those involved in such attacks to justice.
The murder of Stephen Troell highlights the dangers faced by American citizens and other foreign nationals who live or work in countries where hostile groups operate. The IRGC’s involvement in this targeted attack serves as a reminder of the high-stakes nature of global security, where individuals may become the target of political violence for reasons that extend beyond their personal actions.
