Top Iranian nuclear scientists go into hiding to avoid assassination by Israel

During the 12-day war, Israel killed more than 19 key Iranian nuclear scientists, a move that significantly set back Iran’s nuclear program.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Iran has sent its top nuclear scientists into hiding to avoid Israeli assassinations.

During the 12-day war, Israel killed more than 19 key Iranian nuclear scientists, a move that significantly set back Iran’s nuclear program.

Israel has made clear its intention to continue to assassinate Iranian nuclear scientists.

Danny Citrinowicz, the former head of the Iranian strategic desk in Israeli Defense Intelligence, told the Telegraph: “Those who are left will be at the forefront of any Iranian attempt to reach a nuclear bomb; hence, they will automatically become targets for Israel, as Israel has shown in the past. I have no doubt about it. Any scientist who deals with the nuclear issue will be eliminated or will be threatened with elimination.”

To prevent this scenario, Iran has forbidden these scientists from teaching in universities and has moved them to coastal locations with their families.

Out of 100 scientists listed by Israel, 15 have stated their intention to follow new career paths.

An Iranian official told the Telegraph: “Those who were teaching at universities are replaced with people who have no connection with the nuclear program.”

On Wednesday, Iran executed nuclear scientist Roozbeh Vadi on accusations of colluding with Israel and facilitating the assassination of his fellow scientists.

Following a joint Israeli and U.S. operation targeting Iran’s three main nuclear sites, investigations assessed the damage to Iran’s nuclear program.

A Defense Intelligence Agency report suggests that Iran now faces significant setbacks, compounded by continued Israeli threats against the country’s remaining nuclear scientists.

“In a highly secretive program such as Iran’s nuclear weapons program, where the risk of leaks is well understood, full knowledge of the most sensitive, up-to-date developments — and how various components were designed to work together — likely existed only in the minds of a few,” the report said.

The assessment added: “Those Iranians who choose to work on producing nuclear weapons in the future will have less information and expertise, while facing greater personal risks, resulting in a significantly greater challenge in building the weapon itself.”

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