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Terror Alert Issued After Failed Assassination Plot

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A worldwide terror alert has been issued after a failed plot to assassinate a Saudi diplomat here in the U.S. is linked to Iran.

Meghan McCorkell has details of the plot and what's being done now.

It's a bizarre murder-for-hire plot that may lead to the highest levels of the Iranian government.

An Iranian-American is now behind bars, charged with the alleged plot. Federal officials say Mansour Arbabsiar conspired with a Mexican drug cartel to kill the ambassador as he dined in a Washington, D.C. restaurant. The alleged plot was traced back to the Quids Force, an elite Iranian military group.

"This plot was a flagrant violation of international and U.S. law and a dangerous escalation of the Iranian government's longstanding use of political violence and sponsorship of terrorism," said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

In the wake of the alleged plot, the government is warning Americans to be on alert. The State Department released a travel advisory for Americans overseas, warning them to use caution.

"I think American people always need to be alert wherever we go in this world. It's always dangerous," said Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger.

As a ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, Maryland Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger was informed of the plot in June. He says the fact that it was discovered sends a message.

"If you're going to attack Americans, if you're going to kill Americans, we're going to find you and bring you to justice and we now have the capabilities to do it. We have the best intelligence community in the world," Ruppersberger said.

Despite that, Americans are being warned that more attacks could be coming.

Iran has denied any involvement in the alleged assassination plot.

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