Iran’s top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was killed in Teheran after a fierce gun battle between his security team and a group of “terrorists.” Fakhrizadeh has been described by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the “father of the Iranian bomb” and is considered to be essential in the Iranian nuclear program.

The attack happened on Friday when several gunmen attacked Fakhrizadeh’s vehicle. The scientist was wounded during the firefight and was taken to a hospital immediately. Unfortunately, “efforts by the medical teams to resuscitate the Iranian scientist failed and he was martyred,” according to Tasnim, Iran’s news agency.

According to reports, explosives were used in the attack, and several other people were killed. It is possible that some of Fakhrizadeh’s relatives who were traveling with him at the time were among those who were killed.

According to the Fars news agency, “Eyewitness accounts confirmed that Fakhrizadeh’s car came under attack first by a blast and then by two terrorist teams who sprayed bullets at his car as they moved in opposite directions. Eyewitnesses also said three to four individuals, most likely all terrorists, have been killed in the attack.”

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has come out to blame Israel for the attack. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has vowed to retaliate against the perpetrators of the attack.

“There are two matters that people in charge should put in their to do list: 1- To follow up the atrocity and retaliate against those who were responsible for it. 2- To follow up Martyr Fakhrizadeh’s scientific and technical activities in all fields in which he was active.” This message was posted on an account that is attributed to Khamenei.

This could mean an escalation in the tension in the region. If Iran launches an attack on Israel that can jeopardize the peace deals that President Trump has worked so hard for.