Missing Iranian nuclear scientist defects to US

Shahram Amiri

Iranian nuclear scientist, Shahram Amiri, who had “disappeared” on a pilgrimage to Mecca, has defected to the United States.

American Television Station ABC announced that Amiri is “collaborating” with the CIA regarding Iran’s nuclear activities.

Associated Press reports that America agents had contacted Amiri through a mediator in Tehran and encouraged him to leave the country.

CIA officials have not confirmed this report.

According to this reports, Amiri has updated CIA’s intelligence regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

Amiri was a nuclear research scientist at Malek Ashtar University, a subsidiary of Iran’s Ministry of Defence.

He disappeared three months before it was revealed that Iran is building a new nuclear plant near the city of Qom.

At the time, Iranian foreign minister, Manochehr Mottaki accused the US of kidnapping this nuclear scientist.

In December, Ramin Mehmanparast, spokesman for Iranian foreign ministry contended Saudi Arabia had handed Shahram Amiri over to the US.