Tehran, July 13 (IANS/AKI) A missing Iranian nuclear scientist has taken refuge at Pakistan’s embassy in Washington, according to Iran’s state radio. The Persian Gulf country claims Shahram Amiri was kidnapped by the CIA.
‘A few hours ago Shahram Amiri took refuge at Iran’s interest section at the Pakistan embassy in Washington, wanting to return to Iran immediately,’ state radio said Tuesday.
Pakistan handles diplomacy for Tehran since Iran and the US broke off diplomatic relations in 1979. Switzerland manages American diplomatic interests in Iran.
University researcher Amiri was working for Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation. He disappeared about a year ago while on a pilgrimage trip to Saudi Arabia prompting Iranian authorities to accuse Saudi officials of handing him over to the US. Saudi Arabia has denied the accusation.
Earlier this month, Tehran said it had proof he was being held in the US. The US denies having abducted him.
The allegation came after three videos purportedly of Amiri containing contradictory information as to his whereabouts emerged.
The first said he had been kidnapped, the second that he was living freely in Arizona, and the third that he had escaped from his captors.
The US has been steadfast in its denial of any alleged abduction of Amiri, while ABC News reported in March that he had defected and was helping the CIA.
Iranian media say Amiri worked as a researcher at a university in Tehran, but some reports say he worked for the country’s atomic energy organisation and had in-depth knowledge of its controversial nuclear programme.
