Iranian authorities arrest suspects behind nuclear scientist assassination

Forum Contacts RSS		RUSSIAN

RIA Novosti, PUBLISHED January 11, 2011

Iranian authorities arrested "Israel-linked spies," who allegedly were behind an assassination of an Iranian nuclear scientist, killed last year, Iranian media said.

The Iranian nuclear physics scientist Masoud Ali Mohammadi and "a staunch supporter" of the Islamic revolution has been killed in a blast near his home in northern Tehran. Iran blamed Israel and the United States for the murder.

"Iranian Intelligence Forces managed to identify and arrest main agents involved in the terror attempt and dismantle a network of spies and terrorist group linked to Zionist regime following large-scale security measures and meticulous intelligence observations," the Intelligence Ministry said in a statement cited by the ISNA news agency.

"The terrorists involved in the assassination of martyr Masoud Ali Mohammadi last year have been arrested," an informed source told FARS News Agency.

According to a Press TV report last year, a remote-controlled explosive device attached to a motorbike was detonated near Dr. Massoud Ali-Mohammadi's home in the Qeytariyeh neighborhood. The FARS news agency said, however, the explosive device was planted in a garbage container.

Al Jazeera then said Mohammadi, a lecturer at the Tehran University, might have had links to Iran's disputed nuclear program.

Western powers suspect Iran of seeking to build nuclear weapons under the guise of its nuclear program, which Tehran says is aimed at the peaceful generation of civilian energy.

Topics: Asia, Iran

Other news:

Russia ready to finance Egypt first nuclear plant

Russia confirmed its participation in a tender to build Egypt's first nuclear power plant and said it was willing to help finance the project.

ARMZ acquires Australian uranium producer in $1.2 bln deal

ARMZ will pay eight Australian dollars per share, which represents a 15.5 percent premium on the average market price for 20 trading days.

Russia to start building Turkish NPP in 2013

Russia will start building Turkey's first NPP estimated at $20 billion in 2013, Russian ambassador to Ankara Vladimir Ivanovsky said.

Hero of the day

Obama nuclear summit: A minor success

Further proof of this fact was provided by Obama Nuclear Security Summit held in Washington on April 12-13. However, this goal is unlikely to be achieved in four years.

INTERVIEW

Christophe Behar
We are preparing now a review of these design options and the decision has to be made in 2012, by the public authorities. ASTRID basic and detailed design will be launched afterwards.

OPINION

Vladimir Rychin
AREVA will return the foreign workers to the uranium deposits in Niger, which have been evacuated after the September seizure of seven hostages.