Iran sees 'arch-enemy' Israel behind nuclear scientist's killing, writes to UN chief

28-11-2020

Iran on Friday accused its 'arch-enemy' Israel of being involved in the assassination of Iran's top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh and penned a letter to the United Nations (UN) asserting that it reserves the "right to defend" itself. Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said 'arch-enemy' Israel was likely to have been involved in the killing of the prominent Iranian nuclear scientist in Tehran, but offered no evidence to back up his claim. According to Reuters, Iran also wrote a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and UN Security Council (UNSC) saying there are �serious indications of Israeli responsibility� in the assassination and Iran reserves the right to defend itself. Earlier in the day, Mohammad Javad Zarif reportedly said, "Terrorists murdered eminent Iranian scientist today. This cowardice with serious indications of Israeli role shows desperate warmongering of perpetrators. Iran calls on the international community to end their shameful double standards and condemn this act of state terror." Zarif's scathing reaction came moments after Iran said one of its most prominent nuclear scientists was assassinated on Friday in an attack outside Tehran and warning of "severe revenge". Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, 59, was "seriously wounded" when assailants targeted his car before being engaged in a gunfight with his bodyguards, the defence ministry said. It added that Fakhrizadeh, who headed the ministry's reasearch and innovation organisation, was later "martyred" after medics failed to revive him.

UN calls for restraint after assassination of Iranian scientist
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The UN called for keeping restraint and avoiding the escalation of tensions in the Middle East after the assassination of the Iranian scientist, the deputy spokesman for the UN secretary-general said. "We have noted the reports that an Iranian nuclear scientist has been assassinated near Tehran today. We urge restraint and the need to avoid any actions that could lead to an escalation of tensions in the region," Farhan Haq said on late Friday. The assassination threatens to escalate tensions between Iran and the US and its close ally Israel, with some warning of the risk of a major conflict in the Middle East.