Ankara called for avoiding attempts to escalate tensions in the Middle East in connection with the assassination of Iranian nuclear physicist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. The corresponding statement of the Turkish Foreign Ministry was published on November 28.
“We condemn this heinous murder and express our condolences to the Iranian government and the family of the deceased <...> we call on all parties to act sensibly and with restraint and avoid attempts that will lead to an escalation of the conflict in the region,” the text says.
The ministry expressed the hope that the perpetrators of the murder, as well as those involved in it, will be held accountable before justice. Ankara condemns any attempts to destabilize the situation in the region, and also opposes any forms of terrorism, regardless of who is its goal, the Foreign Ministry stressed.
The head of the research and innovation organization of the Iranian Ministry of Defense, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, was killed on November 27 in an assassination attempt. An explosion thundered in front of his car, then there was a shootout between the scientist’s guards and the attackers. Fakhrizade died in hospital. Tehran called the incident a terrorist attack.
The European Union condemned the assassination of Fakhrizade, and the UN called on countries to avoid actions that could lead to an escalation of the conflict in the region.
In 2008, Fakhrizadeh came under US economic sanctions as the author of Iranian nuclear technology.