Iran says won't fall in trap of holding talks with US, after killing of nuclear scientist

Iran has vowed it won't "fall into trap" of holding any future talks with incoming Joe Biden-led US government after assassination of its top nuclear scientist. In a statement posted on Iranian government's website, spokesman Ali Rabiei said, Islamic Republic should t fall into trap of linking assassination to past nuclear negotiations.

"Iran's scientific and defense policies won't change because of assassination of one scientist or general," he said. 

Mohsen 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 has blamed Israel for murder of its top scientist and vowed to take revenge against perpetrators. Israel h earlier accused Fakhrizeh of masterminding a secret nuclear bomb project. It has t commented on Iran's allegation yet.

In a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and UNSC, Iran claimed re are “serious indications of Israeli responsibility” and Iran would be looking to defend itself. While taking to Twitter, Foreign Minister Javed Zarif called on international community and asked m to condemn act and end “state terror”. 

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Complications in nuclear deal

Both Israel and US President Donald Trump oppose President-elect Joe Biden's intention to rejoin Obama-era nuclear accord if Tehran vows full compliance. In 2018, Trump h pulled US out of deal and imposed crippling sanctions on Iran. Killing Fakhrizeh, who is to be buried in Tehran on Monday, could d complications in return of accord.

"This assassination will t remain unanswered, but t at a time that y want or way and place y expect. Iran sets time and place," said Rabiei, referring to Israel and US

Hardliners in Iran are miffed with President Hassan Rouhani for trying to keep 2015 deal alive while attacks continue on country. Fakhrizeh's murder ds to a year of crisis and instability, that started with Trump ordering killing of a top Iranian general in a January 3 drone strike in Baghd. Iran retaliated with a missile strike on a US military base in Iraq that did t result in any fatalities, but its unintentional downing of a passenger plane above Tehran killed 176 people.

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