The Iranian nuclear scientist, who was allegedly kidnapped by the CIA, had received over USD 5 million by the intelligence agency to share information on Iran's controversial nuclear program, said the US officials. The scientist, Shahram Amiri, has not been obligated to repay the money but might be unable to access it in the wake of what US officials dubbed as a significant co-operation with CIA and abruptly returning to Iran. Officials added that the scientist might have succumbed over concerns that the Iranian government might harm his family in Tehran.
"Anything he got is now beyond his reach, thanks to the financial sanctions on Iran," a U.S. official said. "He's gone, but his money's not. We have his information, and the Iranians have him." Amiri returned to Tehran in wee hours of Thursday. The scientist received an overwhelming response from the crowd including several senior government officials. His 7-year-old son broke down in tears as Amiri held him for the first time since he mysteriously vanished in Saudi Arabia almost 14 months ago.
In brief remarks to reporters at Imam Khomeni International Airport, Amiri said, "I am so happy to be back in the Islamic republic." He retierated that he was abducted by U.S. agents. The scientist claimed that the CIA agents pressurised him to back their propaganda Iran and its controversial nuclear program. He also confirmed that he was offered USD 50 million to stay in the US. Amiri also claimed that he had little knowledge about the country's nuclear enrichment sites or the program at all. "I'm a simple researcher. A normal person would know more about Natanz than me," he remarked.
Meanwhile, the US officials highlighted that the volume of payments reflected the value of information provided by the scientist. The support is keyed to what the person's done, including how their material has checked out over time," said an official, who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity surrounding the case. "You don't give something for nothing."
