Iranian state media published a video on Thursday claiming that British-Iranian national Alireza Akbari, who is facing execution for alleged spying, played a role in the 2020 assassination of Iran's top nuclear scientist.

The 10-minute video posted on government-linked outlets showed Akbari speaking in different interview settings. In it, he recounts how he was initially approached years ago by an unnamed UK ambassador in Tehran as well as MI6 agents. He is then seen explaining vaguely how he was requested to pass on information concerning top Iranian officials involved in the country's controversial nuclear and missile programs. The video alleged Akbari was involved in the murder of prominent Iranian military scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, assassinated in an attack right outside Tehran in 2020. 

Captions note that Akbari was arrested for espionage in 2008 but was released on bail before relocating to the United Kingdom, where he was granted British citizenship. The circumstances under which he was rearrested remain unclear, but it appears that the former official had frequently traveled back and forth between the two countries. 

Akbari, 61, who holds dual British citizenship, was sentenced to death by Iran's judiciary for espionage for the UK government, according to Iranian media reports.