Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Envoy condemns criminal acts of terrorism against Iran's scientists

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

United Nations, New York, Dec 11, IRNA -- Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mohammad Khazaee here on Friday condemned cruel, inhuman and criminal acts of terrorism against the Iranian scientists.

In his letters to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, President of the General Assembly Joseph Deiss and President of the Security Council Susan Rice, the Iranian envoy reiterated that the Islamic Republic of Iran has suffered the most from acts of terrorism in terms of human losses and material damages in the past decades.

The full text of Khazaee's letter is as follows:

'In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful,

'December, 10, 2010

'Excellency,

'On 29th November 2010, two Iranian prominent physicists, Majid Shahriari and Fereydoun Abbasi Davani, were targeted in two separate terrorist attacks in Tehran. As a result, Majid Shahriari was martyred and Fereydoun Abbasi Davani and his wife were seriously injured. As you are aware, this was not the first time that the scientists engaged in the peaceful nuclear program of Iran came under malicious terrorist attack. Professor Massoud Ali Mohammadi, another Iranian scientist, was also assassinated in front of his house on 12 January 2010.

'Based on the available evidence collected by the relevant Iranian security authorities, certain quarters which have spared no efforts in depriving the Islamic Republic of Iran from its inalienable right to peaceful nuclear energy, are behind the attacks. As has been claimed by the same circles, these terrorist acts have been carried out as part of the efforts to disrupt Iran’s peaceful nuclear program, since they assume that diplomacy alone would not be enough for that purpose.

'Now, the question is whether we are entering an era where resorting to all unlawful and coercive measures, even terrorist acts, to prevent developing nations from exercising their right to development, including peaceful uses of nuclear energy, to improve their socio-economic conditions are allowed?

'While reiterating, once again, the peaceful nature of Iranian nuclear activities, I would like to emphasize that the Islamic Republic of Iran would not compromise over its inalienable right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and any kind of political and economic pressures or terrorist attacks targeting the Iranian nuclear scientists, could not prevent our nation in exercising this right.

'The Islamic Republic of Iran expresses its deep concern over, and strong condemnation of, such cruel, inhuman and criminal acts of terrorism against the Iranian scientists. My country has suffered the most from acts of terrorism in terms of human losses and material damages in the past decades. You as the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and the Security Council of the United Nations as well, are expected to uphold your responsibilities in condemning these inhumane terrorist acts and to take effective steps towards elimination of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

'Furthermore, I am sending an identical letter to the President of the Security Council and the President of the General Assembly. It would be highly appreciated if this letter could be circulated as a document of the Security Council and of the General Assembly under the agenda item 109.

'Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest considerations.'

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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30120121