Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the “abominable” and “cowardly” killing was committed “with the planning or support of the intelligence services of the CIA and Mossad” of the United States and Israel.
He said in a statement that Tehran would “continue with determination” its nuclear activities, which Western governments suspect mask a drive for a weapons capability despite repeated denials.
Some media close to Iran’s conservatives have called for “retaliation” against Israeli officials. Tehran has demanded that the UN Security Council condemn the “terrorist” killing.
