Iran says weapon used to kill top nuclear scientist was ‘made in Israel’

Ali Shamkhani, a member of Iran’s national security council, said the attack was “carried out using electronic devices”. He was speaking at a funeral service for Fakhrizadeh that took place outdoors at Iran’s defence ministry in Tehran on Monday.

“No individual was present at the site” of the killing said Mr Shamkhani, according to Iran‘s state-controlled English-language Press TV. He also blamed an Iranian exile group, Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, of “having a role” in the incident but did not elaborate on the claim.

Iranian media also reported that a weapon was recovered from the site of the attack with “the logo and specifications of the Israeli military industry”. 

Another outlet, the Arabic-language channel Al-Alam, said the weapons used were “controlled by satellite”. It also did not provide evidence to back the claims.

Israel has so far not commented on the attack.

The funeral was attended by top-ranking officials including Revolutionary Guard chief General Hossein Salami, civilian nuclear programme chief Ali Akbar Sahei and intelligence minister Mahmoud Alavi.  

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has already promised “revenge” for Mr Fakhrizadeh’s killing.

Fakhrizadeh, often described as the father of Iran’s nuclear programme, was assassinated in an area on the outskirts of Tehran on 27 November. 

Iran’s critics have accused the country of using its civilian nuclear programme as a front for a military operation developing nuclear weapons, even as the country continues to assert that its programme is peaceful.

After kissing Fakhrizadeh’s casket, Iran’s defence minister General Amir Hatami said in a speech that the assassination would make Iranians “more united, more determined.”

“For the continuation of your path, we will continue with more speed and more power,” said General Hatami, while he criticised countries which have not condemned Fakhrizadeh’s killing. “This will catch up with you someday.”

Also on Monday, the UAE issued a statement condemning the “heinous assassination”. The UAE and Israel are trying to normalise their relations, a process that recently saw the restart of passenger air services between the two nations. 

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