Iran’s top nuclear scientist reportedly assassinated

Fakhrizadeh was the leader of the "Amad" nuclear energy program in Iran, and state-run media is blaming the assassination on "terrorists," and had previously survived at least one other attempt at his assassination.

"Unfortunately, the medical team did not succeed in reviving him, and a few minutes ago, this manager and scientist achieved the high status of martyrdom after years of effort and struggle," said Iranian media.

According to New York Post, reports say that many other people around Fakhrizadeh also perished in the attack.

Reports also mention another attack with the same modus operandi earlier that day, where a car was blown up with multiple people inside. The other attack occurred in the nearby city of Absard.

Fakhrizadeh was known within the country as "the Robert Oppenheimer of Iran." However, the Iran nuclear program has been very controversial at the international level. Critics have repeatedly accused Iran as using the program as a smokescreen for developing nuclear weapons.