Israeli Mossad assassinations: U.S. Denies Killing Iranian Nuclear Scientist-NBC News

U.S. Denies Killing Iranian Nuclear Scientist-Air Date: 01/11/2012

TRANSCRIPT

BRIAN WILLIAMS, anchor:

Americans woke up to an amazing story this morning from overseas, and now the tension between the US and Iran has been heightened further after the assassination of a nuclear scientist in Tehran in broad daylight during this morning's commute, like some of what we've seen in action sequences in movies. Tonight it is by no means clear who did it, but Iran is accusing the US and Zionists, how they refer to Israel. Our chief foreign correspondent, Richard Engel, here with us in the studio with more on this. Richard, good evening.

RICHARD ENGEL, reporting:

Good evening, Brian. Today's assassination is really just part of a long and ongoing secret war against Iran's nuclear program. Around 8 AM, an Iranian nuclear scientist on his way to work. Witnesses say two attackers on a motorcycle eased up behind him, slapped a small bomb to his car with a magnet and then slipped away in traffic. The scientist and his bodyguard driver were both killed. The target, 32-year-old Mustafa Ahmadi Roshan. He worked at Iran's Natanz uranium enrichment site in procurement. Two years ago this week, another Iranian nuclear scientist was assassinated in Tehran. In all, at least five have been killed, including a missile expert at this test facility, which mysteriously blew up last November. Iran today blamed Israel and the United States.

Secretary HILLARY CLINTON (Secretary of State): I want to categorically deny any United States involvement in any kind of act of violence inside Iran.

ENGEL: Israel has never officially said it's behind these killings, but former intelligence officials have clearly expressed satisfaction.

DANNY YATOM (Former Head of the Mossad): Everything short of a full-scale war is better than a full-scare war.

ENGEL: Today's James Bond-style attack comes amid enormous growing tensions over Iran's nuclear program. Last month, Washington approved strict sanctions against Iran. Already its currency has dropped 20%. Iran called it an act of war, responding with a show of force, test-firing missiles, a sign to back off. And Iran threatened to close the oil corridor the Strait of Hormuz. The US 5th Fleet says it will make sure the strait stays open. NBC's Tehran bureau chief, Ali Arouzi, says Iran is on edge.

ALI AROUZI, reporting:

The mood here is tense. Sanctions are starting to bite and the government is warning that the enemy is at the gate. Tehran clearly feels that it's being subjected to an undeclared war. Today's assassination may now prompt Iran to respond in kind.

ENGEL: And Iran says it will continue its nuclear program, which it insists is peaceful. But, Brian, as tensions increase, so do the risks, specifically the risk that the United States could get involved in a war with Iran, another war because of an alleged nuclear program and oil...

WILLIAMS: All right.

ENGEL: ...which may sound very familiar.

WILLIAMS: Yeah. Lot of people would love to know how this ends and when. Richard Engel, thanks for your reporting tonight.