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Iran says Israel killed military nuclear scientist remotely, yet to provide proof

Authorities originally said a truck exploded, then gunmen opened fire, fatally shot Fakhrizadeh and bodyguard.

Published: November 30, 2020 8:35am

Updated: November 30, 2020 10:02am

Iran on Monday accused Israel of using "electronic devices" to remotely kill a scientist who founded the Islamic Republic's military nuclear program, despite providing no clear evidence to support the accusation. 

Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of the country's Supreme National Security Council, made the comment at the funeral for Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, according to the Associated Press.

Also at the funeral Iran's defense minister vowed to continue Fakhrizadeh's work in the early 2000s "with more speed and more power."

Israel, an Iranian adversary in the region, has yet to comment on the attack.

Shamkhani's remarks change the original account of how Fakhrizadeh was killed Friday.

Authorities said a truck exploded, then gunmen opened fire and fatally shot Fakhrizadeh and a bodyguard. 

State TV even interviewed a man the night of the attack who described seeing gunmen open fire. And state TV's English-language broadcaster Press TV has reported that a weapon recovered from the scene of the attack bore "the logo and specifications of the Israeli military industry," the wire service also reports.

State TV's Arabic-language channel, Al-Alam, claimed the weapons used were "controlled by satellite," a claim also made Sunday by the semi-official Fars news agency.

None of the outlets immediately offered evidence supporting their claims, which also gives authorities a way to explain why no one was reportedly arrested at the scene.

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