BREAKING: The YJC news agency, closely linked to the state broadcaster, reports Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, known as the main brain behind Iran's nuclear programme, has been assassinated.
But Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesperson of the Atomic Energy Organisation, denies any such incident.
But Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesperson of the Atomic Energy Organisation, denies any such incident.
Iran's Tasnim new agency, closely affiliated to the Revolutionary Guards, and Press TV, the state broadcaster's English language news channel, are also reporting Mr Fakhrizadeh has been assassinated.
Now also reported by IRINN, state TV's 24-hour news network.
The report says the assassination took place near Damavnd, a city very close to the capital Tehran.
The report says the assassination took place near Damavnd, a city very close to the capital Tehran.
Mr Fakhrizadeh's name was specifically mentioned in Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's presentation about Iran's nuclear programme in May 2018
First images from the scene of the assassination now being shared on Iranian social media.
If true, quite clear Mr Fakhrizadeh was shot dead in his car by the attackers.
Caition: The images are unconfirmed at the moment
If true, quite clear Mr Fakhrizadeh was shot dead in his car by the attackers.
Caition: The images are unconfirmed at the moment
First video from the scene of the assassination and geolocation here 👇
https://twitter.com/Shayan86/status/1332328479086481408
Tasnim is now reporting Mohsen Fakhrizadeh is in hospital and undergoing an emergency operation.
It adds his death has not been confirmed yet.
But it says several other individuals were killed in the incident, but they are unidentified at the moment.
It adds his death has not been confirmed yet.
But it says several other individuals were killed in the incident, but they are unidentified at the moment.
Reaction by Maj Gen Hossein Salami, chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards: "The assassination of nuclear scientists is the hegemonical system's most blatant and brutal act of hostility to prohibit us from achievements in modern science."
Fakhrizadeh's death has now been confirmed by Iran's ministry of defence.
“Armed terrorists targeted a vehicle carrying Mohsen Fakhrizadeh... After a clash between the terrorists and his bodyguards, Mr Fakhrizadeh was severely injured and rushed to hospital... and passed away."
“Armed terrorists targeted a vehicle carrying Mohsen Fakhrizadeh... After a clash between the terrorists and his bodyguards, Mr Fakhrizadeh was severely injured and rushed to hospital... and passed away."
Precise geolocation of the video making the rounds in the aftermath of the assassination by @AuroraIntel
https://twitter.com/AuroraIntel/status/1332340265311481859
Reaction from Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, he claims there are "serious indications of Israeli role", calling the assassination an "act of state terror".
President Trump retweets Israeli journalist and author Yossi Melman, who said Mr Fakhrizadeh's assassination is a "major psychological and professional blow" to Iran.
Maj Gen Mohammad Baqeri, chief of staff of Iran's armed forces, has published a statement about Fakhrizadeh's death.
"Terrorist groups and those behind this must know that severe revenge is awaiting them... We'll not stand by until the preptrators have been chased and punished."
"Terrorist groups and those behind this must know that severe revenge is awaiting them... We'll not stand by until the preptrators have been chased and punished."
Just leaving this amazing tweet here.
Iran's intelligence minister Mahmoud Alavi says Iran's intelligence agents have begun the work to identify the preptrators of Fakhrizadeh's assassination, vowing revenge for his blood.
State TV's report from the scene of the assassination hours later
https://twitter.com/Reza_Khaasteh/status/1332360411174350850
I'd take that state TV reporter's words that "based on unconfirmed reports one of the terrorists has been arrested" with a pinch of salt for now.
But that's a huge caveat if it's later confirmed by the authorities.
But that's a huge caveat if it's later confirmed by the authorities.
BREAKING: @nytimes is quoting three intelligence officials as saying that Israel was behind the attack.
"It was unclear how much the US may have known about the operation in advance," it adds.
"It was unclear how much the US may have known about the operation in advance," it adds.
John Brennan, former head of the CIA, says Fakhrizadeh's assassination is a "criminal act and highly reckless".
He adds if a foreign state authorised the killing it would be "a flagrant violation of inernational law and encourage more governments to carry out lethal attacks".
He adds if a foreign state authorised the killing it would be "a flagrant violation of inernational law and encourage more governments to carry out lethal attacks".
As expected, the assassination will make hardliners within the Iranian political establishment even more determined to stop any attempts by President Rouhani to negotiate or agree a full return to the nuclear deal once Joe Biden takes over in Washington
https://twitter.com/KianSharifi/status/1332409812588621824
Tomorrow's front pages in Iran are all about Fakhrizadeh's assassination and "vengeance" 👇
https://twitter.com/KianSharifi/status/1332418355161161730
Telegram channels linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards are posting images of the country's ballistic missiles accompanied by messages like:
"The city of Tel Aviv will be razed to the ground soon."
"Sooner or later, it's bound to happen."
"The city of Tel Aviv will be razed to the ground soon."
"Sooner or later, it's bound to happen."
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