Iran says Israel attacked Karaj site to thwart nuclear talks

Gov’t blames Israel for June attack, accuses it of trying to derail negotiations that could see US sanctions lifted.

Tehran, Iran – The Iranian government has blamed Israel for an attack last month on a nuclear-related site near the capital, Tehran, saying its regional arch foe was once more trying to derail talks in Austria aimed at salvaging Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Government spokesman Ali Rabiei said on Tuesday Israel was behind the June 23 attack on a building in Karaj that belongs to the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran. “[Israel] carried out these actions with the presumption that it would signal it can stop Iran and say the world has no need to negotiate with Iran,” he said, according to state-run IRNA.