The nuclear scientist that was believed to be behind Iran’s covert nuclear program was killed by members of the IRGC.
The Islamic Republic’s Intelligence Minister, Mahmoud Alavi, revealed this week that the former Iranian lead nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, was killed in a far more premeditated manner than officials initially thought. Fakhrizadeh was suddenly killed in November outside of Tehran while traveling on a highway in a sedan.
His bodyguard was also killed in the attack that was initiated by the explosion of a nearby vehicle prior to gunshots entering the vehicle through the windshield.
Alavi stated that “The person who made the first preparations for the murder was a member of the armed forces,” in reference to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). However, this member of the armed forces, who did not act alone, may have been recruited by Israel’s elite intelligence agency, Mossad. The individuals responsible for the attack were appointed to the IRGC’s Ansar Al-Mahdi unit, which is primarily responsible for protecting IRGC leadership.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned in 2018 that Fakhrizadeh was heading a covert nuclear program for the Iranians and has vowed on numerous occasions not to allow the Iranians to acquire a nuclear weapon.
The extent of the Mossad’s involvement remains unknown.
