The Iranian scientist who was allegedly abducted by the United States arrived in Tehran on Thursday, state media reported.
While showing a victory sign, Shahram Amiri was welcomed at Tehran’s IKIA airport by deputy foreign minister Hassan Ghashghavi as well as his wife, son and parents.
Mr. Amiri said after his arrival that he was abducted by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in June 2009 in Saudi Arabia, and forcefully transported from there to the U.S. in an American military plane.
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“Over there I had to go through physical and mental tortures by both American and Israeli interrogators for two months who forced me to say that I had come to the U.S. voluntarily for disclosing classified information on Iran’s military nuclear programmes,” Mr. Amiri said.
The two arch-foes of Iran, the U.S. and Israel, accuse Tehran of following a secret nuclear programme for military purposes. The Iranian government has constantly denied the charges.
“They threatened me if I did not follow their orders, they would transfer me to Israel,” he added.
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Asked how he could make a video message while in CIA captivity, Mr. Amiri said due to security considerations he could not give any information in this regard but would do so in due time.
Mr. Amiri said on Wednesday that once back in Iran, he would disclose all details of his abduction by the CIA.
Mr. Amiri, an employee of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization, had said on Iran’s state television that he was abducted by the U.S. government while he was on a pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia in June 2009, brought forcefully to the U.S. and asked about Iran’s nuclear projects.
The scientist further said that he escaped the CIA, came to Washington and took refugee in the Pakistani embassy which represents Iran’s diplomatic interests as the two states have had no official ties for over three decades.
The U.S. adamantly rejected the accusations and in return claimed Mr. Amiri had defected to the U.S. and provided the CIA information on Iran’s nuclear activities.