The photo shows a car that was targeted in a deadly shooting attack by terrorists in Absard city, near the Iranian capital of Tehran, November 27, 2020. (By Fars news agency)

Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami says there is serious evidence suggesting Israeli role in the assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, one of the country’s most senior nuclear scientists.

Hatami on Wednesday sent a letter to his counterparts in over 60 countries about the terrorist operation, in which he referred to the direct involvement of Israel’s spy services in the targeted killings of Iranian scientists.

The Iranian defense chief said there is serious evidence regarding Tel Aviv’s role in Fakhrizadeh’s assassination.

Fakhrizadeh was targeted in a multi-pronged terrorist attack near Tehran on November 27.

At the time of his martyrdom, the scientist was deputy defense minister and head of the Iranian Defense Ministry’s Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND).

He was the only Iranian scientist whose name was mentioned by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a 2018 televised presentation.

Elsewhere in his letter, Hatami highlighted the scientific achievements and research initiatives developed by Fakhrizadeh.

He also underlined the need for putting aside double standards towards the fight against state terrorism.

Iran reserves the right to respond to the assassination, the defense minister said, urging the global community to take part in the campaign against this inhuman, illegitimate and felonious move.

Iran views silence on the terrorist act as an excuse for its repetition as well as insecurity in the world, he added.