This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24892869

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Iranian deputy industry minister shot dead Iranian deputy industry minister shot dead
(about 11 hours later)
An unknown attacker has shot dead Iran's deputy industry minister.An unknown attacker has shot dead Iran's deputy industry minister.
Safdar Rahmatabadi was driving in Tehran's Sabalan Square late on Sunday when he was shot once in the head and once in the chest, the state news agency IRNA reported.Safdar Rahmatabadi was driving in Tehran's Sabalan Square late on Sunday when he was shot once in the head and once in the chest, the state news agency IRNA reported.
A police officer told the agency that the attacker appeared to have been inside Mr Rahmatabadi's vehicle and spoke to him before opening fire.A police officer told the agency that the attacker appeared to have been inside Mr Rahmatabadi's vehicle and spoke to him before opening fire.
There was no speculation as to why the deputy minister was targeted.There was no speculation as to why the deputy minister was targeted.
Police said they had begun an investigation. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.Police said they had begun an investigation. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.
Assassinations of officials are not unheard of in Iran, in particular scientists connected with the country's nuclear programme. In January 2012 a car bomb killed university lecturer Mostafa Ahmadi-Roshan, who also worked at the Natanz uranium enrichment facility.Assassinations of officials are not unheard of in Iran, in particular scientists connected with the country's nuclear programme. In January 2012 a car bomb killed university lecturer Mostafa Ahmadi-Roshan, who also worked at the Natanz uranium enrichment facility.
Low profile officialLow profile official
Earlier in November a public prosecutor and his driver were killed in the restive frontier province of Sistan Baluchistan, which borders Afghanistan and Pakistan.Earlier in November a public prosecutor and his driver were killed in the restive frontier province of Sistan Baluchistan, which borders Afghanistan and Pakistan.
However, Mr Rahmatabadi, whose portfolio also included mining and commerce, was seen as a low-profile official. He served in a similar role under the country's previous President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.However, Mr Rahmatabadi, whose portfolio also included mining and commerce, was seen as a low-profile official. He served in a similar role under the country's previous President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The shooting comes as Iran, under newly-elected President Hassan Rouhani, engages in talks with six world powers on its nuclear programme. Tehran maintains it is enriching uranium for civilian uses but Western countries have long suspected Iran of a secret nuclear weapons programme.The shooting comes as Iran, under newly-elected President Hassan Rouhani, engages in talks with six world powers on its nuclear programme. Tehran maintains it is enriching uranium for civilian uses but Western countries have long suspected Iran of a secret nuclear weapons programme.
Peace talks in Geneva have centred on a proposal to freeze the expansion of Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for relief from tough international sanctions.Peace talks in Geneva have centred on a proposal to freeze the expansion of Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for relief from tough international sanctions.
Israel, which regards Iran as a security threat, has opposed the talks.