Mostafa Ahmadi-Roshan

Mostafa Ahmadi-Roshan
Born c. 1980
Iran
Died 11 January 2012
Tehran, Iran
Cause of death
 Assassination
Nationality Iranian
Alma mater Sharif University
Occupation
  • Nuclear scientist
  • Academic
Organization Natanz uranium enrichment facility

Mostafa Ahmadi-Roshan (Persian: مصطفی احمدی روشن‎, c. 1980 – 11 January 2012) was an Iranian nuclear scientist and university professor. He was killed in a bomb blast near Gol Nabi Street, in north Tehran,[1] on 11 Jan. 2012—a day after Israeli military chief Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz was quoted as telling a parliamentary panel that "2012 would be a critical year for Iran", in part because of "things that happen to it unnaturally."[2]

Biography

According to the semi-official Fars news agency, Ahmadi-Roshan (aged 32) was a graduate of Sharif University and supervised a department at Natanz uranium enrichment facility in Isfahan province.[1] Citing the Fars News Agency, The Guardian reported that Ahmadi-Roshan was a chemistry expert specializing in "making polymeric membranes for gaseous diffusion, part of the process needed for the enrichment of uranium."[3] He was a deputy director for commercial affairs at Natanz uranium enrichment facility. The Fars News Agency reported that the driver of Roshan's car later also died in a hospital from injuries sustained in the explosion.[4]

The agency also reported that he died after two assailants on a motorcycle attached magnetic bombs to his car.[5] He was one of several Iranian nuclear scientists assassinated in recent years. The Iranian government has blamed Israel and the US for the killings, the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization saying: "The heinous acts of America and the criminal Zionist regime will not disrupt our glorious path."[6]

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton categorically denied any United States involvement, stating: "I want to categorically deny any United States involvement in any kind of act of violence inside Iran".[7]

Israeli President Shimon Peres was quoted saying that, to the best of his knowledge, Israel was not involved in the hit.[8]

Several conservative newspapers in Iran called for retaliatory action against Israel. The daily Kayhan, supervised directly by the office of the Supreme Leader of Iran, wrote: "The Islamic republic has gathered much experience in 32 years, thus assassinations of Israeli officials and military members are achievable."[9]

Ahmadi-Roshan was buried on 13 January 2012.[10]

On 14 January 2012 Iran sent, via the Swiss embassy in Tehran, a diplomatic message to the United States government claiming that Iran has direct evidence of CIA's involvement in the assassination of Ahmadi-Roshan.[11]

Following his death, Ahmadi Roshan's wife stated to Fars News, "Mostafa's ultimate goal was the annihilation of Israel." She added that her spouse loved any resistance figure willing to fight the Zionist regime.[12]

Following the assassination the speaker of Israel's army said "we do not shed tears for this murder". According to Jerusalem Post commander of Israel's army stated a day before the attack that 2012 is going to be a critical year for Iran filled with un-normal events.[13]

A month after Ahmadi-Roshan's assassination, NBC News wrote:[14]

Deadly attacks on Iranian nuclear scientists are being carried out by an Iranian dissident group that is financed, trained and armed by Israel’s secret service, U.S. officials tell NBC News, confirming charges leveled by Iran’s leaders...U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Obama administration is aware of the assassination campaign but has no direct involvement.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Iran car explosion kills nuclear scientist in Tehran". BBC. 11 January 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  2. ↑ Anti-U.S. chants as slain Iran nuclear expert buried. The Washington Times. 13 January 2012. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
  3. ↑ "Iran nuclear scientist killed in Tehran motorbike bomb attack", The Guardian, 11 January 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
  4. ↑ "Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan, Iran Nuclear Expert, Dead In Car Bomb", Huffington Post, 11 January 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2012
  5. ↑ Meikle, James (11 January 2012). "Iranian nuclear scientist killed in Tehran bomb explosion". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  6. ↑ Mostafavi, Ramin; Parisa Hafez (11 January 2012). "Bomb kills Iran nuclear scientist as crisis mounts". Reuters. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  7. ↑ US denies role in Iranian scientist's death, Associated Press, 12 January 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2012
  8. ↑ "Peres: Israel wasn't involved in Tehran hit". Ynet. 13 January 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
  9. ↑ "Iran seeks revenge", New York Times, 12 January 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2012
  10. ↑ Anti-US Chants As Slain Iran Nuclear Expert Buried, NPR, 13 January 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
  11. ↑ Iran says CIA behind nuclear scientist's killing, USA Today, 14 January 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2012
  12. ↑ "Wife of Assassinated Scientist: Annihilation of Israel "Mostafa's Ultimate Goal"". Fars News Agency. 21 February 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  13. ↑ Report: Iran nuclear scientist killed in car bomb blast CNN 12 January 2012
  14. ↑ Israel teams with terror group to kill Iran's nuclear scientists, U.S. officials tell NBC News 8 February 2012