Iran names suspect in Natanz attack, says he fled country

State TV names him as Reza Karimi, shows alleged Interpol notice for his arrest, but does not elaborate how he would have had access to one of most secure facilities in Islamic Republic
Associated Press|
Iran named a suspect Saturday in the attack on its Natanz nuclear facility that damaged centrifuges there, saying he had fled the country before the sabotage happened.
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  • State television named the suspect as 43-year-old Reza Karimi. It showed a passport-style photograph of a man it identified as Karimi, saying he was born in the nearby city of Kashan, Iran.
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    רזה קארימי
    רזה קארימי
    Reza Karimi, suspect in the Natanz attack
    (Photo: Iran state TV)
    The report did not elaborate how Karimi would have gotten access to one of the most secure facilities in the Islamic Republic.
    The report also aired what appeared to be an Interpol "red notice" seeking his arrest. The arrest notice was not immediately accessible on Interpol's public-facing database. Interpol, based in Lyon, France, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
    The TV report said "necessary actions" are underway to bring him back to Iran through legal channels, without elaborating.
    The supposed Interpol "red notice" listed his travel history as including Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Kenya, Ethiopia, Qatar, Turkey, Uganda, Romania and another country that was illegible.
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    אתר הגרעין בנתנז
    אתר הגרעין בנתנז
    Iran's state TV shows current state of Natanz nuclear facility
    The report also showed centrifuges in a hall, as well as what appeared to be caution tape up at the Natanz facility.
    The attack on Sunday, which Iran claims has been carried out by Israel, has inflamed a shadow war between the two nations, with Tehran vowing revenge "on the Zionists". Iran has begun enriching a small amount of uranium up to 60% purity - its highest level ever - in response to the attack amid talks in Vienna aimed at saving its tattered nuclear deal with world powers.
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