Iran arrests over attacks on nuclear scientists

By James Reynolds
BBC Iran correspondent

The two scientists worked on Iran's nuclear programme
Iran's intelligence minister says the country has made a number of arrests following attacks on two prominent nuclear scientists in Tehran on Monday.

One scientist was killed and another left seriously injured.

Intelligence Minister Heidar Moslehi said a number of people were identified and arrested in connection with what he called the two terrorist attacks.

Mr Moslehi did not identify the suspects, nor did he say how many people had been arrested.

But he did repeat Iran's claim that the intelligence services of the US, Britain, and Israel were responsible for the attacks.

The two scientists, Majid Shahriari and Fereydoon Abbasi, were targeted separately as each drove to work on Monday morning.

Reports said motorcyclists drove alongside the scientists' cars, attached magnetised bombs to the side of the vehicles, and then drove away.

The bombs exploded, killing Dr Shahriari and seriously injuring Dr Abbasi.

The attacks and subsequent arrests come just a few days before Iran is due to restart talks on its nuclear programme with the permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany.

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