Iran’s nuclear chief replaced

Posted by Maria Khan on 7/17/09 • Categorized as Mideast, Science

According to Ynetnews.com, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has appointed Ali Akbar Salehi to lead the country’s nuclear program.

The news comes shortly after Gholam Reza Aghazadeh, Iran’s former nuclear chief, most commonly referred as the father of Iran’s nuclear programme stepped down from his position on Thursday, July 16. Aghazadeh’s close relationship with reformist opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi is being linked to his decision, according to the Two-Way, NPR’s news blog.

Aghazadeh’s resignation is being paralleled to the political turmoil in the nation and comparisons are being made with Abdul Qadeer Khan (A.Q.), Pakistan’s nuclear scientist, according to Guardian.co.uk.

Twitterverse raises their doubts amidst the spontaneous nuclear chief shuffling process:

Dputamadre RT – Aghazadeh, Iran’s nuclear chief, aka father of Iran’s nuclear programme, resigns http://bit.ly/nZhXZ #iranelection #iran 16 Jul 2009 from TweetDeck

Rheetta Rupture of the regime? Iran’s nuclear chief quits – Christian Science Monitor: CBC.caRupture of the regime? Iran.. http://bit.ly/BFnFJ
#neda 16 Jul 2009 from web

sabzete Blog: #iranelection: Iran’s nuclear chief resigns, with links to Mousavi cited | http://bit.ly/U5odu 16 Jul 2009 from Twitter Tools

TOIWorldNews Poll tremor? Iran’s N-panel chief resigns: The head of Iran’s nuclear agency… http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4787198.cms 16 Jul 2009 from web

i58buck Iran’s Nuclear Chief Steps Down; Post-election Shake Up? http://bit.ly/6WzWn 17 Jul 2009 from web

The_FNG @nicopitney-Did u c this? Serious nuclear accident may b behind Iran nuke chief’s mystery resignation http://bit.ly/11Iu4C (via wikileaks) 17 Jul 2009 from web

DeltaTechnology Ahmadinejad consolidating power by sacking iranian nuclear chief. Aghazadeh also stepped down from vice president post. #iran #iranelection 17 Jul 2009 from web

OlafLewitz Wow! RT @bbnetworked: Gholam Reza Aghazadeh, the head of Iran’s nuclear programme, quits http://bit.ly/ZXzv0 #iranelection 17 Jul 2009 from TweetDeck