Iran sends surviving nuclear scientists into hiding after 14 killed in Israeli strikes, report says
Iran has moved its remaining top nuclear scientists into hiding following a deadly 12-day conflict with Israel in June, during which at least 14 atomic experts were killed in targeted airstrikes, according to a new report.
More than 15 surviving scientists—once based at universities and research centers—have reportedly been relocated to secure locations in Tehran and along Iran’s northern coast, a senior Iranian official told The Telegraph.
Israeli intelligence experts have warned that the remaining scientists are still at risk. “Those left will be at the forefront of any Iranian attempt to build a nuclear bomb,” said Danny Citrinowicz, former head of the Iranian strategic desk at Israel’s Defense Intelligence agency. “Any scientist involved in the nuclear issue will either be eliminated or threatened with elimination.”
According to The Telegraph, Israel has allegedly compiled a list of around 100 Iranian scientists who could be targeted in future operations aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
The scientists killed in the June conflict were reportedly involved in developing highly enriched uranium—a key component of nuclear weapons, according to Israeli claims. Notable among those killed were Fereidoun Abbasi, former head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, president of Islamic Azad University in Tehran.
In response to the strikes, Iran has implemented new security protocols to protect its remaining nuclear experts. The government has also replaced some university faculty members linked to the nuclear program with individuals believed to have no direct connection to the project, the Iranian official said.
Several universities were damaged during Israeli airstrikes, further disrupting the country’s academic nuclear research infrastructure.
The crackdown has extended beyond protective measures. Iran recently executed Rouzbeh Vadi, a reactor engineer accused of spying for Israel and aiding in the attacks. The execution came amid a broader post-war espionage purge that has seen hundreds arrested and more than a million Afghan refugees expelled on suspicion of serving as Israeli informants.
Among those detained, according to the nonprofit Hostage Air Worldwide, are at least four Iranian-Americans caught up in the sweeping security crackdown.
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