At the funeral for the slain military scientist on Monday, Mr.  Hatami said those who were behind the assassination will pay a high price and be punished.

He said the assassination will not prevent Iran’s nuclear programs, adding that the fund for the Science and Technology Research Center run by scientist Fakhrizadeh will soon double. Iran will continue fighting terrorism in Syria and Iraq.

Fakhrizadeh was killed in a military-style ambush last Friday on the outskirts of Tehran, which reportedly saw a truck bomb explode and gunmen open fire on the scientist.