DUBAI: Iran’s president on Saturday accused Israel of killing a prominent Iranian scientist long suspected by the West of planning a secret nuclear bomb program, state television reported.
Iran’s clerical and military rulers have threatened revenge for Friday’s assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, who according to Iranian media died in hospital after assassins shot him in his car near Tehran.
“Once again, the evil hands of global arrogance were stained with the blood of the mercenary usurping Zionist regime,” a term for Israel, President Hassan Rouhani said in a statement, according to state television.
“The murder of the martyr Fakhrizadeh shows the desperation of our enemies and the depth of their hatred … His martyrdom will not stop our achievements.”
Fakhrizadeh’s death could spark a confrontation between Iran and its enemies in the last weeks of Donald trumppresidency of the United States, while complicating any efforts of the president-elect Joe biden to relive the détente of Barack Obamapresidency.
On video: Iran’s top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh assassinated, Rouhani blames Israel
.
