Iranian Vice President Mohammad Javad Zarif has accused Israel of embedding explosives in centrifuge technology purchased for Iran's nuclear program, according to comments reported by Iran International on Tuesday.
Speaking during the Hozour (Presence) online program, Zarif detailed how sanctions on Iran and its allies have created security vulnerabilities, leaving the country susceptible to foreign tampering. “Our colleagues had purchased a centrifuge platform for the Atomic Energy Organization, and it was discovered that explosives had been embedded inside it, which they managed to detect,” Zarif stated, though he did not clarify when the alleged sabotage occurred.
Zarif emphasized that sanctions compel Iran to rely on intermediaries for acquiring equipment, increasing the risk of foreign interference. “Instead of being able to order equipment directly from the manufacturer, sanctions force you to rely on multiple intermediaries,” Zarif explained. “If the Zionist regime infiltrates even one intermediary, they can embed anything they want, which is exactly what happened.”
The Iranian VP also referenced coordinated explosions in September 2024 involving Hezbollah's communication devices, attributing them to years of planning by Israel. He described how the detonation of approximately 5,000 pagers and 1,000 walkie-talkies resulted in 32 deaths and over 3,000 injuries.
“These incidents are some of the damages caused by sanctions, which have made circumventing them a necessity for us,” Zarif said, highlighting the security and financial risks Iran faces under international restrictions.
Zarif, who served as Iran's Foreign Minister from 2013 to 2021, pointed to these events as evidence of the broader challenges Iran faces in maintaining its national security amidst geopolitical pressures.
* Arutz 7 contributed to this article.
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