Top Iran Nuke Scientist Killed in Blast

A blast killed a prominent Iranian nuclear scientist in Tehran today. The attack bears many similarities to other similar fates faced by Iranians working on the clandestine nuclear program. Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan was killed when two people on a motorcycle placed a magnetic bomb to his vehicle. There has been at least one similar attack in the past, which the Islamic Republic blamed on the United States and Israel.

Roshan was a chemistry expert who was involved in building polymeric layers for gas separation, which is the use of various membranes to isolate gases. He was also deputy director of Natanz uranium enrichment plant, in central Iran, for commercial affairs. According to conservative news website mashreghnews.ir, Roshan was in charge of purchasing and supplying equipment for the facility.
Natanz is the centerpiece of Iran’s efforts to make its own nuclear fuel. But Iran said earlier this week it was expanding some operations to a bunker-like site south of Tehran protected under 300 feet of rock. The existence of the Fordo facility has been known for more than two years, but some Western officials fear the opening of the labs could be another step toward developing nuclear arms.

This comes as tensions are visibly rising. Iran is also being squeezed by new oil sanctions, which could spark conflict.

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