Iran Nuclear Scientist Assassinated in Terror Attack... Biden Faces Challenge Even Before Inauguration

Iran Accused Israel Behind Recent Terror Attack
Biden Administration Faces Greater Challenges in Resolving Iran Issue

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The assassination of scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, who led Iran's nuclear development, has put U.S. President Joe Biden's Middle East policy at risk of facing difficulties even before it begins. Biden was expected to resolve the Iran nuclear issue and persuade Iran to rejoin the nuclear agreement (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), but this terror attack has confronted him with challenges before his inauguration.

On the 28th (local time), American media including The New York Times (NYT) reported that the Iran nuclear issue has become more complicated following Fakhrizadeh's death in the terror attack. Unlike former U.S. President Donald Trump, who took a hardline stance on the Iran nuclear issue, the international community had hoped that President-elect Biden would adopt a more conciliatory approach.

Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was killed in a terrorist attack, prompting Iranian citizens to take to the streets to mourn.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Previously, President Barack Obama led the JCPOA, which guaranteed Iran's nuclear development while limiting its weaponization potential. However, his successor, President Trump, withdrew from the JCPOA and increased sanctions on Iran, worsening U.S.-Iran relations. Moreover, Iran responded by enhancing uranium enrichment and other measures after the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA, making the restoration of the agreement difficult.

Initially, the international community, including Europe, hoped that once Biden took office, he would begin by adjusting the level of sanctions on Iran and work toward restoring the JCPOA framework. They especially aimed to achieve concrete results before the term of moderate Iranian President Hassan Rouhani ended.

However, following Fakhrizadeh's assassination, relations are inevitably deteriorating. Iran holds Israel?and by extension, the U.S.?responsible for the terror attack. A bigger problem has arisen before the current one could be resolved.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, stated on Twitter, "Those responsible must be retaliated against," and emphasized, "The scientific and technological activities of martyr Fakhrizadeh must continue."

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also said, "The assassination of martyr Fakhrizadeh shows the depth of the enemies' despair and hatred," adding, "His martyrdom has not delayed our achievements." President Rouhani referred to "the evil hand of 'global arrogance' using Zionists as mercenaries, stained with blood."

The United States is taking a cautious stance regarding this incident. Former CIA Director John Brennan tweeted, "This is a criminal act and a very reckless one," warning that "it risks deadly retaliation and new regional conflicts."

The Biden transition team has not publicly commented on the assassination related to this incident.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.