US nuclear sniffer plane deployed amid Iran-Israel conflict? Here's what we know
Known informally as the 'nuclear sniffer,' the WC-135R is one of only three planes of its kind in existence. It's built for a very specific mission: to detect airborne radioactive particles and signs of nuclear fallout in real time. These aircraft are rarely deployed and usually only sent out when there's reason to suspect a nuclear event could be imminent.
Air Force Times reported that the plane has been flying unusual patterns over the northern United States. While the Pentagon has not issued an official statement, its appearance follows unconfirmed reports that Israeli airstrikes may have hit Iranian nuclear facilities.
On top of that, Tehran has issued strong warnings about potential retaliation.
However, Brandon Holley, a Wireless Infrastructure Engineer, clarifed in an X thread, 'That was a training flight and its flight pattern aligns with flying over USSTRATCOM bases and some of our silo fields.'
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First Post
15 hours ago
- First Post
Iran sends its top nuclear scientists into hiding. Here's why
Iran has reportedly moved its remaining nuclear scientists into hiding after Israel killed at least 14 researchers during the 12-day conflict in June. More than 15 of them have left their homes and universities and have been moved to undisclosed locations. This step was taken following Israel's targeted killings of several Iranian nuclear researchers during the recent conflict Pictures of Iranian military commanders, nuclear scientists and others killed in Israeli strikes are displayed in southern Tehran, Iran. WANA via Reuters/File Photo Iran has reportedly moved its remaining nuclear scientists into hiding after Israel killed at least 14 researchers during the 12-day conflict in June. According to a report by the UK's The Telegraph, over 15 scientists are no longer living in their homes or working at universities and have been relocated to undisclosed places. Meanwhile, Israeli experts claim that a new group of Iranian nuclear scientists is ready to continue the work of those killed, describing them as 'dead men walking'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD So, why has Iran chosen to hide its remaining scientists? What is Israel saying? Here's a look: Why did Iran move top nuclear scientists to safe houses? Simply put, this was done because of Israel's targeted killings of several Iranian nuclear researchers during the recent 12-day conflict. A senior Iranian official told The Telegraph that more than 15 top scientists who survived have left their homes and universities to hide in secure locations in Tehran or along the northern coast. The report says it has seen the names of over 15 of these surviving scientists on a list of about 100 held by Israel. According to Israeli claims, those on the list must now decide whether to continue their work and risk more attacks or leave the field altogether. This picture shows the destruction at Evin prison after Israeli air strikes the previous month, in Tehran, on July 1, 2025. AFP/File Photo 'Most of them are no longer living in their houses – they are either moved to safe houses in Tehran or to the north,' the Iranian official told The Telegraph. He further said: 'Those who were teaching at universities are replaced with people who have no connection with the nuclear programme.' The move comes amid fears, fuelled by Israeli briefings, that more assassinations may take place. It also follows Iran's execution this week of one of its own nuclear scientists. Roozbeh Vadi, who had worked at one of Iran's most sensitive nuclear sites, was hanged on Wednesday over allegations that he passed information to Israel, helping in the killing of his colleagues during the June conflict, the report said. What is Israel saying? Israeli experts believe a new generation of Iranian nuclear scientists is ready to take over the work of those killed, describing them as 'dead men walking' despite tighter security measures such as safe houses and round-the-clock protection. According to them, Iran has designed its nuclear research programme so that each key figure has at least one deputy, working in groups of two or three to ensure the work continues if someone is targeted. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Israeli sources told The Telegraph they suspect some of the surviving scientists have stepped into the roles of their slain colleagues in Iran's nuclear weaponisation programme at the Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Research, or SPND. These include experts in explosives, neutron physics and warhead design. 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The move comes amid fears, fuelled by Israeli briefings, that more assassinations may take place. Reuters/File Photo What happened in June 2025? At least 14 Iranian nuclear scientists were killed in targeted attacks by Israel. According to the Israeli military, nine of them died in the first wave of strikes on June 13. They were described as having 'decades of accumulated experience in the development of nuclear weapons' and included experts in chemistry, materials, explosives and physics. Israel's ambassador to France, Joshua Zarka, told the Associated Press that the scientists were targeted 'not because of the fact that they knew physics, but because of the fight that they were personally involved in, the creation and the fabrication and the production of (a) nuclear weapon.' 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Indian Express
16 hours ago
- Indian Express
Gaza residents face new threat from antibiotic-resistant disease, says Lancet research
The war ravaged Gaza has now encountered a new threat wherein diseases resistant to antibiotics are spreading across the devastated territory endangering millions of people, who are already dealing with a scarcity of medical and aid supplies, The Guardian reported. The 22-month old war with Israel has crippled the medical supplies in the country and tens of thousands of people have been injured while several others have been suffering from malnutrition. Hence, the high levels of drug-resistant bacteria would signify more illness with a longer duration and a rapid transmission of infectious diseases leading to more deaths, experts said. The peer-reviewed research comment, published in the Lancet Infectious Disease on Tuesday, is the first since the war between Israel and Gaza based Hamas militant group began in October 2023 and suggests a prevalence of multi-drug-resistant bacteria in Gaza. According to epidemiology adviser to Médecins Sans Frontières, who is also the co-author of the studies on drug-resistant bacteria in Gaza, 'This will mean longer and more serious illnesses and a high risk of transmission to others. It means an increased risk of death from really common infections. It means more amputations. It's a horrible picture.' The study published in the Lancet Infectious Disease is based on 1,300 samples collected from al-Ahli hospital in Gaza, where one of the rare microbiology laboratories is still functional. Samples were taken from the patients over a 10-month period last year and two-thirds of them showed the presence of multi-drug-resistant bacteria. One of the authors of the study, Bilal Irfan, called the results 'particularly alarming'. 'We don't even know the true scale because of the destruction of almost all the laboratories and the killing of a lot of the medical staff, so to even get a small insight into what is happening in Gaza is extremely important,' Irfan said, quoted The Guardian. The Israeli offensive in Gaza has now killed more than 61,000 people and injured over 158,000 since the war began in October 2023. (with inputs from The Guardian)
News18
a day ago
- News18
Iran Moves Remaining Nuclear Scientists To Secure Safe Houses Following Israeli Killings
Following Israel's targeted killing of several Iranian nuclear scientists during a recent 12-day conflict, Iran has reportedly moved its remaining researchers to secure safe houses in Tehran and northern cities. Many were also removed from university posts amid fears of future attacks. Israeli sources warn a new generation of scientists is stepping up Iran's nuclear programme. News18 Mobile App -
