Iran claims Israel killed its top nuclear scientist using a remote-controlled machine gun strapped to a Nissan pickup, leading to ridicule on Iranian social media.
By Ezra Stone, United with Israel
On Monday, a top Iranian security official accused Israel of operating “electronic devices” to assassinate Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in a remotely perpetrated operation.
Fakhrizadehi is the scientist who established the Islamic Republic’s program to develop nuclear weapons.
According to Secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani, “The operation was a very complicated operation and was carried out using electronic devices,” reported the Associated Press quoting state TV.
“No individual was present at the site,” Shamkhani added.
“Shamkhani’s remarks drastically change the story of Fakhrizadeh’s killing Friday,” reported the AP. “Authorities initially said a truck exploded and then gunmen opened fire on the scientist, killing him. State TV even interviewed a man the night of the attack who described seeing gunmen open fire.”
Last Wednesday, Press TV reported that a weapon found on the the scene of the attack bore “the logo and specifications of the Israeli military industry.”
Iranian social media apparently had a field day ridiculing the claim.
“Iranian social media pokes fun at the claim by Fars News that a remote-controlled machine gun attached to a Nissan pickup killed Fakhrizadeh,” tweeted Mideast security expert Joe Truzman.
Iranian social media pokes fun at the claim by Fars News that a remote-controlled machine gun attached to a Nissan pickup killed Fakhrizadeh. #Iran https://t.co/vDeMgCOnNY
— Joe Truzman (@Jtruzmah) November 29, 2020
The Al-Alam channel meanwhile claimed the weapons were “controlled by satellite,” a contention the Fars news agency echoed on Sunday.
“None of the outlets immediately offered evidence supporting their claims,” the AP reported.
Israel is suspected of killing multiple Iranian nuclear scientists during the past 10 years, but does not publicly comment on the such incidents.
Fakhrizadeh established Iran’s AMAD program, which Israel demonstrated was designed to build nuclear weapons.
I’ll admit, it’s pretty funny. https://t.co/QpX7pqPkYB
— Joe Truzman (@Jtruzmah) November 30, 2020
Israeli Foreign Ministry Director-General Alon Ushpiz urged diplomats around the world to observe “the highest level of readiness and awareness of any irregular activity” around missions and Jewish institutions.
Iran has threatened to retaliate against Israel, with one regime-linked paper advocating “strikes on Haifa.”