Rouhani: Killing of Top Scientist ‘Great Crime’, Iran to Respond in Due Time
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani described the assassination of top Iranian scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh as a “great crime”, vowing that Tehran will at the proper time respond to the terrorist act.
"Undoubtedly, this terrorist act shows the helplessness and inability of the sworn enemies of the Iranian nation against the scientific and research movements of our scientists and it is the right of the Iranian government to take revenge on the blood of this martyr from the perpetrators at the proper time,” Rouhani said during a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday.
He expressed his gratitude for Turkey's sympathy with the Iranian people and also the condemnation of this assassination by Ankara, saying, "It is completely clear to us who did the assassination based on the method used and other factors".
In the last months of his life, this Iranian scientist spent most of his time finding ways to combat the COVID-19 and completing research to make diagnostic kits for the viral infection, the Iranian president said, adding, "The assassination of this scientist was a great crime and inhumane act".
Elsewhere in his remarks, Rouhani referred to US President-elect Joe Biden’s remarks on the return of the United States to the JCPOA, and said, "We have repeatedly emphasized that if the other parties to this agreement fulfill their obligations, we will fulfill our obligations as well".
The Iranian president also emphasized the need for the further development of relations with Turkey in all fields, saying, “Unfortunately, the US sanctions have prevented us from easily entering into trade and economic and banking cooperation”.
Referring to the Nagorno-Karabakh crisis between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the President stressed the need to prevent the infiltration of terrorists into the region.
Erdogan, for his part, offered condolences to the Iranian government and nation and the family of the Iranian scientist, and strongly condemned this terrorist act, saying, "There is no doubt that this terrorist act is aiming for peace in the region”.
"I hope that the perpetrators of this crime will be identified and brought to justice as soon as possible," he added.
Referring to the new international situation and the beginning of a new era in the US government, the Turkish President said, "I hope that in the new US administration, the mentality of threats and sanctions will give way to dialogue, cooperation and interaction with countries".
Erdogan further stressed the need to further develop and deepen Iran-Turkey relations and stressed that the rapid implementation and operation of the resolutions and agreements of the Supreme Council for Strategic Cooperation will be closely followed.