To world leaders, including President-elect Joe Biden, 

The assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh is a vile assault on diplomacy and dangerous action, risking escalation and the possibility of dragging the U.S. into a new Middle East war. 

On Friday, November 27, 2020, in an act of flagrant disregard for international law, Israel carried out the assassination of Iran’s top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. The assassination takes place during an extremely sensitive time as the U.S. is in its last days of the Trump administration and President-elect Joe Biden is hoping to reengage diplomatically with Iran. The attack follows: 

• President Trump withdrawing the U.S. from the Iran Nuclear Deal in 2018, despite Iran’s compliance with the deal;
• The reimposition of brutal U.S. sanctions against Iran, affecting even the country’s ability to obtain life-saving medications;
• Past assassinations of Iranian scientists by Israel;
• The extra-judicial execution by the U.S. of Iran’s top general, Qasim Solemaini, in January 2020, almost resulting in an all-out war between the U.S. and Iran;
• Numerous sabotage acts inside Iran, likely by Israel and/or the MEK, of nuclear facilities and industries.

If Iran retaliates quickly and directly to the assassination of Fakhrizadeh, it could result in rapid violent escalation between Israel and Iran that could draw the U.S. into an all-out war. Even if Iran waits until later to respond, either directly or indirectly, the effects of Israel’s actions will be significant in hindering the incoming Biden administration’s efforts to successfully engage diplomatically with Iran, including reentering the Iran Nuclear Deal. To mitigate the effects of this vile assault on diplomacy, world leaders must condemn the assassination of Fakhrizadeh and its illegality under international law. The last time an Iranian nuclear scientist was assassinated by the Israeli Mossad, in 2012, the U.S. government condemned the attack and President-elect Joe Biden must do so now.

If the assassination of Fakhrizadeh was facilitated or jointly coordinated with the Trump administration, such involvement must be condemned and it would constitute further evidence that Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Special Envoy Elliott Abrams, and other members of the outgoing administration are doing everything in their power to prevent the incoming Biden administration from succeeding in their stated efforts to make peace with Iran. 

Sincerely,