Latest news with #FereidounAbbasi
News18
a day ago
- Politics
- News18
Iran Sends Top Nuclear Scientists Into Hiding As Israel Compiles List Of Future Targets
Last Updated: Iran has hidden its nuclear scientists after a conflict with Israel killed 14 top experts. Israel targeted individuals involved in uranium enrichment. Iran has moved its remaining nuclear scientists into hiding following a 12-day conflict with Israel in June that reportedly claimed lives of at least 14 of Tehran's top atomic experts, according to a report in The Telegraph. More than 15 senior scientists have been relocated from their homes and universities to secure locations in Tehran or along the northern coast, The Telegraph reported, citing a a senior Iranian official. The move comes in response to Israeli airstrikes that targeted individuals allegedly involved in Iran's uranium enrichment efforts, which Israel claims are part of a nuclear weapons programme. Among those killed were prominent figures like Fereidoun Abbasi, former head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, head of Islamic Azad University. Universities linked to the scientists were also reportedly struck during the conflict. Israeli intelligence experts have warned that surviving scientists remain in danger. According to the report, Israel has compiled a list of around 100 Iranian scientists considered potential future targets. In response, Iran has replaced academic staff linked to its nuclear programme with individuals who have no known ties to it. The crackdown extends beyond academia. Tehran recently executed nuclear scientist Rouzbeh Vadi on charges of spying for Israel's Mossad spy agency and aiding the attacks. The deadly conflict majorly targeted Iran's senior military leaders, nuclear experts, and critical nuclear facilities, prompting Iran to respond strongly with missile and drone attacks on Israel. The regime has since launched a crackdown on spies, arresting hundreds and expelling over a million Afghan refugees suspected of being Israeli informants. Iran has executed at least eight individuals this year for allegedly spying for Israel. view comments First Published: August 11, 2025, 16:12 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Iran's Nuclear Scientist Makes Big Reveal In Last Interview Before Israeli Strike Killed Him
Fereidoun Abbasi, a key architect of Iran's nuclear program and former head of the Atomic Energy Organisation, was killed in Israel's latest strikes targeting Iranian nuclear sites. Abbasi had survived a 2010 assassination attempt and was sanctioned by the UN for suspected links to nuclear weapons research. Known for his hardline views, he once boasted that he wasn't worried about assassination and said he would build a bomb if ordered. In a recent interview, he downplayed the risk of being targeted and asserted that Iran's nuclear work would continue through future generations. Read More
NDTV
14-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Iran's Top Nuclear Scientist Killed In Israeli Strikes Boasted He Wasn't Worried About Assassination
Fereidoun Abbasi, a former head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, was among several military leaders and scientists killed in the unprecedented Israeli strikes. According to the New York Post, Abbasi had once boasted that he wasn't concerned about being assassinated and said he would gladly build nuclear weapons if asked. Abbasi, a key figure in Iran's nuclear development, survived a 2010 assassination attempt and had long been sanctioned by the United Nations for alleged involvement in covert nuclear weapons research. He had also defended Iran's nuclear efforts as peaceful and essential to national sovereignty. On Thursday, he was killed overnight as Israel struck the nation's terrifying nuclear program sites, Iranian officials confirmed. Following his demise, Abbasi's interview with an Iranian outlet last month has emerged, in which he had casually dismissed concerns about the possibility of being targeted. "What are we supposed to do about it?" he asked dismissively, saying his work on the nuclear program would live on with younger generations. According to the Post, he also stated that he would happily help build weapons if asked. "So far, we have not received orders to build (a nuclear bomb). If they tell me to build it, I will do it," Abbasi, a hardliner who also served as a member of parliament from 2020 to 2024, told Iran outlet SNN, per the outlet. "It is a mistake to set a time frame, whether six months, a month, a year, or a day," he said about the timeline for building a nuclear weapon. "Once the decision is made, you will need to make some small changes. If you work with uranium, you will need 90% enriched uranium. This level of enrichment can be achieved by laser, by electromagnetism, or by centrifuges," he continued. If Iran's nuclear infrastructure were destroyed, Abbasi said, "nothing would happen." "Our capabilities are spread all over the country," he said, adding, "If they target the production sites, it will be inconsequential to our timetable." Notably, Israel launched unprecedented strikes against Iran on Friday, targeting the country's nuclear programme and several military leaders and nuclear scientists. Israel's military said that the strikes had caused significant damage. Key Iranian commanders were killed, including the chief of staff of the armed forces and the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. Nuclear scientists Ali Shamkhani, Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, and four others were also killed. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israeli attack was launched to protect the country from Iran's threat. The operation was meant to stop serious threats from Iran, but it would take several days to do this, reported The Guardian. In retaliation, Iran launched 100 drones towards Israel, with the Israeli Military saying its air defences were intercepting them outside Israeli territory. Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has warned Israel it faced a "bitter and painful" fate over the attacks.
