Israel killed several Iranian nuclear scientists. Then, Iran hit back

Indian Express

20-06-2025

In an escalation of hostilities between Iran and Israel, Tehran appears to have struck back after the targeted assassinations of several Iranian nuclear scientists by Israel. A missile launched by Iran hit the prestigious Weizmann Institute of Science early Sunday, heavily damaging multiple research facilities and signalling a chilling new front in the widening conflict, one that directly targets scientific institutions and personnel.
The missile strike, which did not result in any casualties, caused widespread destruction on the Rehovot campus, decimating labs, wrecking years of research, and sending shockwaves through Israel's scientific community. Two buildings were directly hit, including one dedicated to life sciences. Another structure, under construction and designated for chemistry research, was also badly damaged. Dozens of other buildings sustained collateral damage.
Professor Oren Schuldiner, a neuroscientist whose lab of 16 years was obliterated, said: 'It's a moral victory for Iran. They managed to harm the crown jewel of science in Israel.'
The attack follows a string of Israeli operations targeting Iran's nuclear program. Just days earlier, Israel had launched overnight airstrikes on several Iranian sites, including the headquarters of SPND, Iran's primary research organisation for nuclear weapons development. Those strikes reportedly killed multiple Iranian nuclear scientists and top military officials.
By targeting the Weizmann Institute, a global leader in scientific research with strong ties to Israel's defence establishment, Iran appears to be delivering a message: Israeli scientists, long shielded from the frontlines of this shadow war, are no longer off-limits.
Dr Yoel Guzansky, senior analyst at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv said: 'The Weizmann Institute symbolises Israeli scientific achievement…Iran is saying: you killed our scientists, now we're coming for yours,' Associated Press reported.
The damage is both physical and psychological. According to scientists at the institute, years of research into cancer, tissue regeneration, and neurological disorders were lost. Labs containing genetically modified organisms, advanced microscopes, and irreplaceable data were destroyed.
While Iran has previously attempted to target Israeli scientists, including an aborted assassination plot uncovered last year, Sunday's missile strike marks the first successful and direct attack on Israeli scientific infrastructure, AP reported.
Founded in 1934, the Weizmann Institute has long been a symbol of Israeli innovation. Its alumni include Nobel laureates and Turing Award winners, and its collaborations with defence companies like Elbit Systems have further underscored its strategic value.
Though the campus has since been closed, journalists allowed inside described scenes of devastation, collapsed ceilings, shattered glass, scorched walls, and debris-strewn hallways.
'All of our studies have stopped…Rebuilding will take years,' Professor Schuldiner said. 'This isn't just an attack on a building, it's an attack on knowledge, on our future, and on our ability to contribute to the world.'