A few months after the death of Muhsin Fahrizada, the Jewish Chronicle released more details about the operation, which was reportedly carried out by the Mossad and Iranian officials.
Muhsan Fahrizda, the head of Iran's military nuclear program that was assassinated last November, was shot dead by Israeli Mossad agents using a one-ton automatic rifle smuggled into the country piece by piece, the Jewish Chronicle reported tonight (Wednesday).
Fahrizada was evacuated to hospital after being assassinated in November
According to the British newspaper, the squad that eliminated Fahrizadeh, which included more than 20 members from Israel and Iran, smuggled the pieces of the rifle under close eight-month surveillance, according to intelligence sources who spoke with the newspaper.
The same sources also said that the Tehran administration estimates that it will take at least six years for anyone replacing Pharisees to learn the job in full.
Sources in Israel estimated that Fahrizada's death caused a delay in the speed with which Iran could reach the bomb, from three and a half months to two years - and according to senior intelligence sources, the delay could even reach five years.
The description in the "Jewish Chronicle" is consistent with some of the versions provided by the Iranians regarding the assassination.
According to Iranian Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alwi, the assassination was carried out by "automatic weapons" and one of its organizers was an Iranian military man.
Alwi claimed earlier this week that the planner's being a military man prevented intelligence services from uncovering the conspiracy, as they were forbidden to spy on military personnel and operate in its ranks.
Fahrizada, 59, was killed when he left his holiday home in the town of Absurd, near Tehran, where he was staying with his wife, who was not injured in the incident.
Although he was riding in an armored vehicle, accompanied by security guards, the assassins managed to eliminate him in an ambush at a central junction on the road leading to the Iranian capital.
The assassination led to accusations by senior regime officials in Iran against Israel and threats of retaliation.
Participated in the preparation of the article: Neta Bar