Report: Mossad assassinated Iranian nuclear scientist
Ynet and AP Published: 02.04.07, 09:19 / Israel News
An intelligence source has suggested that a prize-winning Iranian nuclear scientist had been assassinated by the Mossad, the Israeli security service, The Sunday Times reported.
Ardeshire Hassanpour, 44, a nuclear physicist, died in mysterious circumstances, according to Radio Farda, which is funded by the US State Department and broadcasts to Iran .
According to the Sunday Times, Hassanpour worked at a plant in Isfahan where uranium hexafluoride gas is produced. The gas is needed to enrich uranium in another plant at Natanz which has become the focus of concerns that Iran may be developing nuclear weapons.
According to Radio Farda, Iranian reports of Hassanpour’s death emerged on January 21 after a delay of six days, giving the cause as “gas poisoning”. The Iranian reports did not say how or where Hassanpour was poisoned but his death was said to have been announced at a conference on nuclear safety.
Rheva Bhalla of Stratfor, the US intelligence company, told the Sunday Times on Friday that Hassanpour had been targeted by Mossad and that there was “very strong intelligence” to suggest that he had been assassinated by the Israelis, who have repeatedly threatened to prevent Iran acquiring the bomb.
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