Published 10:09 IST, December 7th 2020

Iran says top nuclear scientist was killed by satellite-controlled AI-targeted machine gun

A satellite-controlled machine gun backed by artificial intelligence was used to assassinate a top nuclear scientist in Iran, the deputy commander told media

Reported by: Gloria Methri
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A satellite-controlled machine gun backed by artificial intelligence was used to assassinate a top nuclear scientist in Iran, deputy commander of Revolutionary Guards told local media on Sunday.

Mohsen Fakhrizeh, a veteran physicist who was at heart of Iran's nuclear research and defense activities, was driving on a highway outside Iran's capital Tehran with a security detail of 11 Guards on vember 27, when machine gun "zoomed in" on his face and fired 13 rounds, said rear-miral Ali Favi.

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" machine gun was mounted on a Nissan pickup and focused only on martyr Fakhrizeh's face such that his wife, who was only 25 centimeters (10 inches) away, was t shot," a news ncy quoted him as saying.

It was being "controlled online" through a satellite and used an "vanced camera and artificial intelligence" to make target, he ded. 

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Favi said that Fakhrizeh's chief of security took four bullets "as he threw himself" on scientist. He also said that re were terrorists at scene.

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Iran blames Israel for scientist's murder

Iranian authorities have blamed ir principal enemy Israel and exiled opposition group People's Mujahedeen of Iran (MEK) for assassination. State-run media h previously reported that "me in Israel" weapons were found at scene.

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Various narratives of scientist's death have emerged since attack, with Iran's defense ministry initially saying he was caught in an exchange of fire with his bodyguards, while a news ncy claimed "a remote-controlled automatic machine gun" killed him, without citing any sources.

Even though he h little public profile, Fakhrizeh was reportedly named by Israel as a prime player in Iran’s nuclear weapon’s quest. In early 2000s, he h founded Islamic republic’s military nuclear program.

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10:09 IST, December 7th 2020