Iran: 20 arrested in Israeli plot to assassinate nuclear experts

At least five scientists killed since 2010; Israel remains silent on accusations

17 June 2012, 4:34 pm
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, second from left, visits a nuclear research facility in Tehran in February 2012 (photo credit: AP/Iranian President's Office)

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran says about 20 suspects have been arrested for alleged links to assassinations of Iranian nuclear experts that Tehran claims are part of covert operations led by Israel.

Sunday’s remarks by Intelligence Minister Heidar Moslehi is the first official figure given for the number of detentions. Last week, Iran announced that it had made arrests linked to the slayings.

Moslehi claims the suspects moved between Iran and Israel through a neighboring country. He did not name the country, but Iran has accused Azerbaijan of harboring terrorists linked to Israel.

At least five Iranian nuclear experts have been killed since 2010. The US and Britain have denied any role in the assassinations, but Israel has remained silent on Iran’s accusations. In May, Iran hanged a man convicted in the killing of a nuclear physicist in early 2010.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

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