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CIA paid Iranian nuclear scientist $5 million

denied he knew any secrets or even that he was a nuclear scientist at all. However, the US officials told The Washington Post that the money would not have been paid for nothing.

Iranian scientist was ‘paid $5 million by CIA’ for nuclear secrets, Telegraph, 15 July 2010, The scientist who claims he was abducted by US spies was paid $5 million by the CIA to disclose Iran’s nuclear secrets, American officials have said. Richard Spencer, Middle East Correspondent

Shahram Amiri, who arrived home in Iran today, gave unspecified intelligence in return for the money, the officials claimed.

Mr Amiri, who was greeted by his wife, seven-year-old son and government ministers on his return to Tehran airport, denied he knew any secrets or even that he was a nuclear scientist at all. However, the US officials told The Washington Post that the money would not have been paid for nothing.

Mr Amiri was previously said to have been a nuclear researcher at Tehran’s Malek Ashtar University, and to have worked with the Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation.

Intelligence websites claimed he also worked on the new secret uranium enrichment facility near the city of Qom, whose existence was disclosed to the world three months after he disappeared while visiting Saudi Arabia in late May last year.

Mr Amiri said in his press conference he had been offered $50 million (£32.5 million) to stay in the United States. He also said he was harshly treated….. The official who spoke to the Washington Post suggested that Mr Amiri might now forfeit the $5 million (£3.25 million) he had been paid. Iranian scientist was ‘paid $5 million by CIA’ for nuclear secrets – Telegraph

July 16, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Iran, secrets,lies and civil liberties | antinuclear, enriched, nuclear, nuclear secrecy, nuclear weapons, uranium