Iran’s Judiciary orders the execution of suspected CIA agent Amir Mirza-Hekmati; Iran’s nuclear scientist killed in bomb attack; Senior UN nuclear inspectors expected to visit Iran soon
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Whatsapp
  • Linkedin
  • Print
  • According to reports, Iran’s Judiciary ordered the execution of Amir Mirza-Hekmati, who was recently arrested by Iranian intelligence agents on a charge of spying for the CIA. The Intelligence Ministry announced his arrest on December 7, 2011. He was convicted of espionage, moharebeh (enmity against God), being a ‘corrupt person on the earth’, and attempting to implicate Iran in terrorist actions. According to the confessions that the defendant had made, he had links with the CIA and had intended to act against Iran’s national security, the indictment said. The taped confessions of the defendant were broadcast on Iranian television on December 18, 2011. “I first thought that no blow would be dealt to Iran in this regard, and I did not intend to deal a blow (to the Islamic Republic). I was deceived,” Mirza-Hekmati stated. He also mentioned that he was offered $500,000 in return for carrying out the mission. 1

    In another development, according to reports, an Iranian nuclear scientist was blown up in his car by a motorbike hitman, prompting Tehran to accuse Israeli and US agents but insist the killing would not derail a nuclear programme that has augmented fears of war and threatened world oil supplies. The fifth daylight attack on technical experts in two years, the magnetic bomb delivered a targeted blast to the door of 32-year-old Mostafa Ahmadi-Roshan’s car during morning rush-hour. Israel, whose military chief said recently that Iran could expect to suffer more mysterious mishaps. However, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton denied any US involvement in the killing of Ahmadi-Roshan. 2

    In other develoepmts, reports noted that Senior UN nuclear inspectors are expected to visit Iran “quite soon” to discuss their alleged concerns about the country’s nuclear program. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ramin Mehmanparast announced on January 3 that a delegation of IAEA officials will take a trip to Iran soon at the invitation of Tehran. The delegation would probably be headed by Herman Nackaerts, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) deputy director general and head of the Department of Safeguards. Iran announced on August 23, 2011 that Nackaerts had recently taken tours of inspection to the Fordo and Natanz enrichment facilities, the Arak heavy water reactor, the Isfahan uranium conversion facility, and the Bushehr nuclear power plant. Iran and the six major powers have recently signalled readiness to resume nuclear talks. Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, in his visit to Tehran on January 4 and 5, carried a message from EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton to Iranian officials for a resumption of nuclear talks. 3

    Top