EU condemns assassination of senior Iranian nuclear scientist as ‘criminal act’

The European Union has condemned the killing of a top Iranian nuclear scientist as a “criminal act.”

The lead spokesperson for the external affairs division of the European Union, Peter Sano, said on Saturday the assassination of the Iranian scientist near the capital, Tehran, violates the principles of human rights.

“This is a criminal act and runs counter to the principle of respect for human rights the EU stands for,” the spokesperson said in a statement on Saturday.

He also expressed his condolences to the family members of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh while wishing a prompt recovery to any those who sustained injuries.

“In these uncertain times, it is more important than ever for all parties to remain calm and exercise maximum restraint in order to avoid escalation which cannot be in anyone’s interest,” the statement added.

Prominent Iranian physicist assassinated near Tehran

Prominent Iranian physicist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh is assassinated in a terrorist attack near Tehran, the Defense Ministry says.

The remarks came a day after Dr. Fakhrizadeh, a professor of physics at Imam Hussein University who headed the Iranian Defense Ministry's Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND), was assassinated while traveling near Absard city in Tehran Province's eastern Damavand County in an attack that also involved a car bombing.

UN urges restraint after scientist assassination

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has also stressed the importance of restraint to prevent an escalation of regional tensions after the assassination of the prominent Iranian nuclear scientist by suspected Israel-tied terrorists near the capital Tehran.

“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,” Guterres’ spokesman Farhan Haq said on Friday.

US officials say Israel was behind the assassination: New York Times

Three US officials have said that Israel was behind the assassination of Iranian scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in a terrorist attack near the capital Tehran, according to a report.

Iranian government officials and military commanders hinted that the Israeli regime could have been behind the terror attack, vowing harsh revenge against all the criminals involved.

Meanwhile, the New York Times reported that Israel was behind the assassination, citing three US officials.

“One American official — along with two other intelligence officials — said that Israel was behind the attack on the scientist,” the paper said.  

“It was unclear how much the United States may have known about the operation in advance, but the two nations are the closest of allies and have long shared intelligence regarding Iran,” it added.

Severe revenge for scientist’s assassination put on Iran’s agenda: IRGC chief

The IRGC chief commander warns that “a severe revenge and punishment” has been placed on Iran’s agenda in response to the assassination of a high-profile scientist with the Defense Ministry.

Germany urges restraint, avoidance of escalating tensions

A German Foreign Ministry spokesman called on all sides on Saturday to show restraint and avoid any measure that could escalate tensions.

"A few weeks before the new US administration takes office, it is important to preserve the scope for talks with Iran so that the dispute over Iran's nuclear program can be resolved through negotiations," the spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

Qatar slams killing of Iranian scientist as ‘violation of human rights’

Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has condemned Friday’s assassination of Iranian nuclear physicist Fakhrizadeh, calling it “a clear violation of human rights.”

The Qatari official expressed his condolences in a phone call on Saturday with Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Al Thani also warned that the scientist’s murder “will only contribute to pouring more fuel on the fire at a time when the region and the international community are searching for ways to reduce tension and return to the table of dialogue and diplomacy”, Qatar news agency (QNA) reported.

Read more: 

• Reactions pour in to assassination of Iranian Defense Ministry scientist

• Assassination of Iranian physicist draws condemnations from anti-Israel groups

• Leader calls on Iran's science centers to continue Fakhrizadeh's efforts

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