Tehran Bomb Kills University Scientist (Reuters)

remote-controlled bomb killed a Tehran University nuclear scientist, in an attack which the state broadcaster blamed on "anti-revolutionary" elements.

The blast which killed professor Massoud Ali-Mohammadi occurred at a time of heightened tension in the Islamic Republic, seven months after a disputed presidential election plunged the major oil producer into turmoil.

In a sign that the authorities may accuse opponents both at home and abroad of involvement in the killing, state broadcaster IRIB said on its website, without giving a source:

"Mr Massoud Mohammadi, a committed and revolutionary Tehran University professor, was martyred this morning in a terrorist act by anti-revolutionary and arrogant powers' elements."

Iran usually refers to its Western foes as "the global arrogance," while hardliners accuse the pro-reform opposition of seeking to topple the Islamic system of government.

Tehran's chief prosecutor, Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi, said Ali-Mohammadi was a nuclear scientist.

Iran is embroiled in a dispute with the West over its nuclear ambitions. It denies Western accusations it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons.

"Massoud Ali-Mohammadi was a professor in the nuclear field and there has so far been no arrests of those behind this incident," the semi-official Fars News Agency quoted Dolatabadi as saying.

No Claim Yet

The official IRNA news agency said it was not yet clear how many people were killed in the blast, suggesting there may be more than one victim. Fars said two people were lightly injured.

Iranian universities have been the scene of rival protests by opposition campaigners and government supporters since the June poll, which the reformist opposition says was rigged to secure the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Student activists form the backbone of the Iranian reform movement.

English-language Press TV said Mohammadi, a lecturer at Tehran University, was killed on Tuesday morning near his home in a northern part of the capital by a booby-trapped motorcycle.

It showed footage of broken glass and other debris at the scene, with what appeared to be the dead man in a body bag taken away on a stretcher. Another media report said windows were shattered within a distance of 50 metres from the blast.

A senior Interior Ministry official, Mehdi Mohammadifar, said the motive for the bombing was under investigation, Mehr News Agency reported. Press TV said no one had so far claimed responsibility.

Iran has been convulsed by its most serious domestic unrest since the Islamic revolution in 1979, as protests by opposition supporters against the election result have turned violent. Authorities deny opposition allegations that voting was rigged.

Eight people were killed in clashes between security forces and opposition supporters on Ashura, the day of ritual Shia Muslim mourning that fell on Dec. 27.