US intelligence officials linked the assassination of Iranian nuclear physicist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh to the plans of the US presidential candidate Joe Biden to restore relations with Tehran, according to The New York Times.
According to the newspaper, US intelligence agencies have little doubt that Fakhrizadeh murder was organized by Israel, and the “real purpose” murder “would be to interfere with US President-elect to renew diplomatic engagement with Iran.” The publication quotes the words of an ex-employee US Department of State Mark Fitzpatrick, who notes that Fakhrizade was killed not to undermine Iran’s military potential, but to “hinder diplomacy”.
According to the newspaper, Israel is counting on a tough response from Iran. “And if the Iranians retaliate by giving Trump a reason to retaliate before he leaves office in January, then Biden will inherit more serious problems” than the collapse of the nuclear deal with Iran, the report says.
The newspaper writes that the Trump administration probably wants to prevent a major change in US policy towards Iran under Biden and Washington’s return to participation in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Earlier on November 28, it was reported that the American special services accuse Israel of murder Fakhrizadeh. At the same time, it is not known whether the United States could have been aware of the operation in advance. The White House and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) declined to comment on the matter to journalists.
The fact that Fahrizade became a victim of a terrorist attack in the Absard settlement near the Iranian capital, it became known on November 27. First, a suicide bomber was blown up on the spot, and then the scientist’s car was fired upon by other attackers. Several people were killed in the attack. President of Iran Hassan Rouhani blamed Israel for what happened.