In an act of cowardice and state terrorism, Dr. Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a prominent Iranian Scientist and Head of the Defense Ministry’s Research and Innovation Organization, was assassinated near the Capital Tehran, on Friday 27 November 2020.
Martyr Dr. Mohsen Fakhrizadeh had an outstanding role in different peaceful scientific projects in Iran, the most recent example of which is development of the first indigenous COVID-19 test kit and vaccine, which is a great contribution to our national efforts in curbing the COVID-19 pandemic at a time when Iran is under the inhumane, unjust and unilaterally imposed sanctions of the United States’ regime, strictly preventing Iran’s access to humanitarian goods including medicines and medical equipments.
Over the past recent years, several top Iranian Scientist and national heroes have been targeted and assassinated in different terrorist attacks and our firm evidence clearly indicates that certain foreign centers have been behind such assassinations, Israel Regime’s authorities have repeatedly named Dr. Mohsen Fakhrizadeh and planned to assassinate him several times.
Such callous terrorist act, like any act of international terrorism, constitutes a threat to international peace and security and contravenes the fundamental principles of international law and principles set forth within the Charter of United Nations as well as the fundamental human rights.
Considering the dire implications of such horrific act and dangerous provocations on the international peace and security and that terrorism is a serious challenge in the international community requires collective responses, we call upon all States, and International and Regional Organizations to uphold its obligation under international law in fighting terrorism and condemn such inhuman act in the strongest term.
The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that the adoption of a double-standard approach towards countries when it comes to the fight against terrorism will not only be counterproductive, but it will also doom efforts in the global fight against terror to fail and lead eventually to more breeding grounds for terrorism. Today, countries who see themselves at the forefront of human rights and combating terrorism are being put into a decisive historical test. They should be responsive to the Nation of Iran, 17000 of whom lost their lives due to terrorism, as to why they are keeping silence over such heinous terrorist activities.
The Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns the assassination of Dr. Fakhrizadeh and once again reiterates its commitment to fighting terrorism. In this regard, the Islamic Republic of Iran reserves its rights, including its inherent right of self-defense, to take all necessary measures to respond to the terrorist attack and any further wrongful acts, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and International law.