Top Iran Nuclear Scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh killed in Ambush, blames Israel

Mohsen Fakhrizadeh

Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, Iran's top nuclear scientist, was killed by armed assassins while riding in his car on Friday. The attack reportedly happened in the town of Absard. Iran blames Israel.

According to reports, the Iranian Ministry of Defense said that on the 27th, the vehicle that Fakhrizadeh was riding in was attacked by armed terrorists. The vehicle exploded while driving in the village of Absard, 60 kilometers northeast of Tehran, and then shot.

Iranian state media said the killing appeared to be an assassination.

Mr. Fakhrizadeh was seriously injured, reports said. The doctors allegedly tried to revive his life but they failed.

"Unfortunately, the medical team did not succeed in reviving him, and a few minutes ago, this manager and scientist achieved the high status of martyrdom after years of effort and struggle," 

a statement by Iran's armed forces carried by state media said. 

According to Iran’s national television station, a “terrorist” has been arrested.

Iran blames Israel for killing the scientist and says it was an act of terror and vowed to take revenge.

In a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the UN Security Council, Iran's UN envoy Majid Takht Ravanchi said there were "serious indications of Israeli responsibility."

"Warning against any adventuristic measures by the United States and Israel against my country, particularly during the remaining period of the current administration of the United States in office, the Islamic Republic of Iran reserves its rights to take all necessary measures to defend its people and secure its interests," 

read part of the letter, which was seen by Reuters.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif made similar comments earlier on Friday, tweeting that there was evidence Israel was involved.

"Terrorists murdered an eminent Iranian scientist today. This cowardice — with serious indications of Israeli role — shows desperate warmongering of perpetrators," 

he wrote.

"In the last days of the political life of their ... ally (US President Donald Trump), the Zionists (Israel) seek to intensify pressure on Iran and create a full-blown war," 

top Iranian military commander Hossein Dehghan tweeted.

So far, the United States has been hesitant to give a statement on the issue to avoid further tensions.
Similarly, Israel has not yet commented.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once called out Fakhrizadeh's name in a news conference, saying "remember that name," this has fueled speculation of Israel's involvement.

It is understood that as early as 2015, Iran refused to allow United Nations inspectors to interview key scientists and military officers to investigate allegations that Tehran maintained a covert nuclear-weapons program.