U.S. denies killing Iran scientist Massoud Ali Mohammadi

The US has dismissed allegations by Iran that American and Israeli agents were responsible for the killing of a physics professor in Tehran.

The US State Department described the accusation as "absurd".

Physicist Massoud Ali Mohammadi died in a bomb blast on Tuesday, Iranian media reported, describing him as a nuclear scientist and a government supporter.

But later reports suggested he was not involved in Iran's nuclear programme and had signed an opposition petition.

Mr Ali Mohammadi, 50, was killed by a remote-controlled bomb near his home.

Full story by BBC News at 22:15 GMT, Tuesday, 12 January 2010:
US denies killing Iran scientist Massoud Ali Mohammadi