Ali Shamkhani Announces Formation of Committee to Investigate 'Biological Assassinations'

Ali Shamkhani has announced the formation of a committee to investigate 'biological assassinations' at the Secretariat of the Supreme National Security Council to look into the 'possible assassination of Ali Dadman and others'. According to a report published by the Tasnim news agency, close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council responded to a question from its reporter about the 'possibility of biological assassination' of Ali Dadman, stating that 'this issue needs to be investigated. I have ordered an investigation into this matter to explore its dimensions.' He added on the sidelines of Mr. Dadman's memorial service: 'Similar issues have been raised regarding other individuals, and in this context, a committee was formed yesterday (Wednesday) to investigate this matter.' Biological assassination refers to killing individuals using toxic, microbial, viral, chemical, and nuclear substances, or even contact with others, leading to short-term and long-term physical harm and ultimately the death of the affected individual due to the effects of these substances. Ali Dadman, who is referred to as the executor of the development project for 'Imam Khomeini' airport and was the son of the Minister of Roads and Transportation in Mohammad Khatami's government, passed away on July 7 of this year due to cancer. His death was mourned by many prominent figures from both political factions of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, also sent a condolence message to his family. Some conservative media outlets have claimed that Mr. Dadman developed advanced cancer after returning from a foreign trip last year, which 'is suspected to be due to bioterrorism.' These media outlets have named other individuals such as Bijan Nobaveh, a former parliament member, Nader Talebzadeh, a filmmaker affiliated with the Islamic Republic, Farajollah Selahshour, a filmmaker affiliated with the government who passed away in 2015, and Saeed Kazemi Ashtiani, head of the Royan Research Institute, who died in mid-January 2006, as targets of biological assassinations. Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, regarding what actions his organization has taken to prevent this issue, stated: 'If it is proven that such a matter exists, we must see which government is responsible for this. This naturally has numerous legal dimensions that must be pursued. This plan will also be examined in the Supreme National Security Council.' Mohammad Ali Jafari, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, also announced in December 2013 the IRGC's efforts to combat 'bioterrorism' and 'laser terrorism', stating: 'Bioterrorism, laser terrorism, and various types of traditional and modern methods must always be intelligently monitored and identified, and precise methods of countering them must be on the agenda.'