the scene. in a video posted on the internet, the chechen rebel leader says the bombings were a legitimate act of retribution for what he called the continued murder of peaceful civilians in the caucasus. >> rug prime minister vladimir putin won't rule out the group behind the attacks planned today's bombings as well. an iranian scientist who disappeared last summer has surfaced here in the u.s. and he is reportedly spilling secrets about iran's nuclear program to the cia. >> the man's name is shahram. as he nuclear scientist. he was working at a university that issal wide the nuclear program of iran. he goes to saudi arabia to the holy sites and then he disappears. at that point iran says he has been kidnapped by the united states. >> the people have been briefed on the operation. the truth is he agreed to it, even leaving his wife and family