Enraged by top scientist's assassination, Iran passes bill to boost nuclear activity

parliament of Iran on Sunday passed a new bill named " strategic measure for removal of sanctions" to boost country's nuclear activities in wake of assassination of its nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizeh. 

Fakhrizeh, a veteran physicist who was at heart of Iran's nuclear research and defense activities, was killed in a bombing and shooting ambush outside Tehran on Friday. Iran's Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Committee discussed "strategic measure for removal of sanctions" bill and approved three of its articles.

"Discussing articles of Strategic Action Plan for lifting of sanctions was on nda. In today's meeting, three articles of this plan were reviewed and opinions of representatives were obtained and amendments were me to clauses. Representatives from Foreign Ministry, Central Bank, and Parliamentary Research Center also attended meeting," committee spokesman Abolfazl Amouei told a local newspaper.

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According to Amouei, if three articles discussed in meeting were opted, it would significantly increase Iran's nuclear activities. bill enviss increasing uranium enrichment level in country to 20% or more. Such an amount of uranium is considered a weapon-gre one. Presently, Iran is enriching uranium at more than 4% while Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) has capped level at 3.67%

bill also seeks restoration of Arak nuclear reactor, which was set to be redesigned to produce rioisotopes so that it does t produce weapons-gre plutonium under JCPOA. Ar provision of bill compels Iran to abandon voluntary compliance with ditional Protocol to safeguards agreement with International Atomic Energy ncy (IAEA).

As per Iranian news ncy, lawmakers assigned a double-urgency status to bill and ratified it in a 232-14 vote at session.

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Mohsen Fakhrizeh's assassination

Iran's top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizeh was murdered in outskirts of capital city Tehran after gunmen attacked his car on Friday, vember 27. According to Associated Press, attack took place in Absard, a vill that is considered a retreat for Iranian elite. Islamic Republic's state media reported that minutes before Fakhrizeh was ambushed, a truck ridden with explosives blew up near his car, forcing his sedan to stop. reports ded that at least five gunmen n emerged and started firing at Fakhrizeh's car continuously, killing scientist and his bodyguard.  

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Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has accused Israel of killing Mohsen Fakhrizeh, state TV reported on vember 28. Calling it a “terrorist and desperate” act, Shiite leer asserted that once again, “evil hands of global arrogance” have been strained with blood of “mercenary usurper Zionist regime”. Furrmore, he said that Fakhrizeh’s “martyrdom” reminded depth of “enemies' malice and grudge”.

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(With inputs from ncy)