TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — A hard-line Iranian newspaper has called for retaliation against Israel a day after the mysterious killing of a nuclear scientist in Tehran with a magnetic bomb attached to his car.
Provocative hints from Israel reinforced the perception that the killing was part of an organized and clandestine campaign to set back Iran's nuclear ambitions, which the U.S. and its allies suspect are aimed at producing weapons. Iran says the program is for peaceful purposes only.
A column Thursday in the Kayhan newspaper by chief editor Hossein Shariatmadari asked why Iran does not retaliate, suggesting assassinations of Israeli officials and military are possible. He noted that Israel has many times said it plans to damage Iran's nuclear program.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — An Iranian state-owned newspaper reports that an ally of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has become head of the largest university in the country, in a significant blow to his moderate opponents.
The Thursday report by Iran daily says Farhad Daneshjoo received five of nine votes cast by the board of trustees of the Islamic Azad University, which enrolls more than 1.7 million students in 400 branches nationwide.
Supporters of Ahmadinejad have for at least for two years pushed to replace current chancellor Abdollah Jasbi because of his affiliation with former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who back Ahmadinejad's opponent in 2009 elections.
The vote requires a final ratification by the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution, whose members are appointed by Iran's clerical leadership, to go into effect.
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