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NDTV
7 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
"Dead Men Walking": Why Iran Has Moved Its Nuclear Scientists Into Hiding
In June, Israeli strikes killed several top commanders and six nuclear scientists of Iran. The strikes targeted Iran's nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders to prevent Tehran from developing an atomic weapon. Now Iran has moved its remaining nuclear scientists into hiding, according to a report by the UK's The Telegraph. About 15 researchers - from a group of 100 - have been moved out over concerns of further Israeli attacks. The Iranian nuclear research programme is designed in such a way that each key player has one deputy, in case of an attack. The scientists have been moved to secure locations in Tehran or northern coastal cities. They no longer live at home or teach at universities, but live in villas with their families. An Iranian official said, "Those who were teaching at universities are replaced with people who have no connection with the nuclear programme." This move comes amid Israeli briefings that informed of further assassinations in the offing and one execution by Iran of its own nuclear scientist, over allegations that he had helped Israel with its assassinations. Israeli experts have said that a new generation of Iranian scientists will now step into the shoes of those killed, however they described them as "dead man walking", despite round-the-clock protection, safe houses and increased security. Israeli sources are concerned that the new scientists may have replaced their dead colleagues at Iran's nuclear weaponisation programme at the Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Research known as SPND. These scientists possess expertise in areas such as explosives, neutron physics, and warhead design. Israeli intelligence and defence analyst, Ronen Solomon told the publication, "While the eliminated scientists focused more on warhead design, the expertise in delivery systems makes those who remain equally strategic targets for Israel, as Israel's June 2025 strikes also targeted ballistic missile infrastructure." Despite this, Iran has repeatedly denied having a nuclear weapons programme, saying that the nuclear expertise was limited to civilian use. Danny Citrinowicz, the former head of the Iranian strategic desk in Israeli Defense Intelligence, a branch of the Israeli military said that any Iranian scientist who is involved in the nuclear programme, will be eliminated or threatened with elimination. "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 that deals with the nuclear issue will be eliminated or will be threatened with elimination", he said. The security has also been boosted, as an Iranian official informs. Earlier, a single Revolutionary Guard unit handled their security, but now there are multiple agencies involved in the protection because of trust concerns. "They were all asked if they still trust their bodyguards - some said no and were provided with new ones," he said. Over 620 people were killed in Iran, including 12 scientists and 20 senior commanders, with 4,870 injured people. Iranian retaliation killed 28 people in Israel and injured over 3,000.
India Today
7 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Iran moves top N-scientists to safe houses after targeted killings by Israel
In the wake of Israel's targeted killings of several Iranian nuclear researchers during the recent 12-day conflict, Iran has reportedly moved its remaining nuclear scientists into hiding, according to a report by the UK's The Telegraph.A senior Iranian official revealed that most of these scientists have been moved out of their regular residences and university positions and relocated to secure locations in Tehran and northern coastal cities, where they live with their families under heightened security, The Telegraph to the British daily, over 15 surviving researchers – part of a group of 100 individuals reportedly targeted by Israel – have been moved out due to concerns over potential future Israeli attacks. "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 was quoted as saying by the newspaper."Those who were teaching at universities are replaced with people who have no connection with the nuclear programme," he FEARS IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAMME MAY GET REVIVED, SAY SOURCESIsraeli experts have said a new generation of Iranian nuclear scientists now stand poised to take over the work of those killed and have described them as "dead men walking", despite the increased security that includes "safe houses and round-the-clock protection," The Telegraph sources are concerned that several surviving Iranian scientists may have stepped into roles left vacant by their slain colleagues within Iran's nuclear weaponisation programme – the Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND), according to the individuals reportedly possess expertise in key areas such as explosives, neutron physics, and warhead intelligence and defence analyst, Ronen Solomon, told The Telegraph, "The figures who remain have worked on adapting Shahab-3 missiles for nuclear warheads, and are critical to Iran's ability to deploy nuclear weapons. While the eliminated scientists focussed more on warhead design, the expertise in delivery systems makes those who remain equally strategic targets for Israel, as Israel's June 2025 strikes also targeted ballistic missile infrastructure," the defence analyst was quoted as saying in the British to Israeli intelligence, Iran's nuclear expertise is deeply rooted within its universities and academic institutions. This connection prompted last month's strikes on Tehran's Shahid Beheshti University and Imam Hossein University, both linked to the country's military and nuclear activities, The Telegraph and Iran had fought a 12-day war which came to a halt after US President Donald Trump brokered a ceasefire on June to reports, Iran incurred heavy losses across all measures, including civilian and military casualties, as well as the quantity and severity of missile and bomb Iran, more than 620 people, including 12 scientists and 20 senior commanders, were killed while more than 4,870 people suffered Israel, 28 civilians were killed and 3,200 were injured. No Israeli soldier was killed.- EndsMust Watch
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First Post
28-06-2025
- Science
- First Post
Latest satellite images confirm Iran now expanding its Fordow site after US bombings
Signs of 'fresh earth movement,' including new access roads and clusters of crater zones are visible at the Fordow site read more Latest satellite images show Iran might be working to expand the Fordow nuclear facility days after the site was targeted by US B-2 stealth bombers. Images released by Maxar Technologies reveal that heavy machinery has been moved into the site, and signs of additional earthwork are visible. There are signs that tunnel entrances may have been deliberately sealed off before the US bombers dropped Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs) on the underground site. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Fordow was among the three nuclear sites that US bombers targeted overnight on June 21–22 under Operation Midnight Hammer. Now, signs of 'fresh earth movement,' including new access roads and clusters of crater zones are visible at the Fordow site. Significance The US administration has claimed that the bombings ' obliterated ' the underground facility at Fordow; however, satellite images indicate Iran may have already moved enriched uranium 'to a safe location'. An analysis by the Open Source Centre in London also suggested that visuals show that Iran may have been preparing the site for a strike. However, it is unclear exactly what, if anything, was removed from the facility. What do the new images reveal? In recent imagery, earth-moving equipment is visible near the northern tunnel complex. Bulldozers are shifting soil around a ridgeline crater, with new access paths evident. Imagery from June 19-20 showed several bulldozers and trucks near the tunnel entrance, likely part of an effort to block or reinforce access points. In the new images, the entrances appear filled with dirt, and debris from MOP impacts is noticeable in several areas. Can Iran still build a nuclear bomb? With the high probability that Iran has moved its stockpile of enriched uranium elsewhere, there are chances that the nation could build a nuclear weapon. However, Ronen Solomon, an Israeli intelligence analyst, told The Telegraph that even if Iran had moved its uranium, it would be 'like having fuel without a car', adding: 'They have the uranium, but they can't do a lot with it unless they have built something we don't know about on a small scale.'
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iran ‘obtains vast quantity' of secret Israeli military plans
Iran has acquired thousands of secret Israeli nuclear and defence documents, according to its state TV broadcaster. An IRIB report on Saturday claimed: 'Iran's intelligence apparatus has obtained a vast quantity of strategic and sensitive information and documents belonging to the Zionist regime'. It said a mission to obtain the material - including documents, images and videos - was carried out 'a while ago'. Ronen Solomon, an Israeli intelligence analyst, told The Telegraph: 'I don't believe this latest information was gathered by Israelis, I think it's been stolen by hacking, more likely by a big group like Anonymous for Justice.' Mr Solomon said he suspected the operation took place last year. 'Usually when someone steals something like this and sells it on the dark network, it takes time for someone to buy it as the price negotiation and authentication takes time,' he added. A Microsoft report last year said Israel had become the top target of state-backed Iranian cyberattacks, overtaking the US. Israel has not commented on the claims. 'We don't know if it's information which is scientific or operational, and it could maybe be something like details of the supply chain, but it could also be a psychological operation,' Mr Solomon said. Dozens of Israeli citizens have been arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran, with Tehran launching an unprecedented wave of operations aimed at intelligence gathering and assassinating the Jewish state's top political and military figures. Last month, two Israeli men were arrested on suspicion of spying in the home town of Israel Katz, the defence minister. Mr Katz said he believed the men had been involved in 'an Iranian plot to harm me as defence minister of the State of Israel'. Sites such as the operating rooms of Israel's Iron Dome air defence system and the secretive nuclear site in Dimona, have been at the centre of Iran's secret operations. Oded Ailam, the former head of Mossad's counter-terrorism unit, said Iran has discarded the slow, resource-heavy methods of classical espionage, in which individual insiders are recruited over a long period of time. He said Iran had instead turned to aggressive mass campaigns on social media, with thousands of Israelis approached in one fell swoop. 'Messages like 'Want to earn some easy cash?' now pepper the digital landscape. No serious screening or background checks, just a Telegram or email message offering money for a 'simple task'. Track a senior figure. Snap a photo of a base. Willing to try? You're in,' he explained. 'This is Iran's version of digital marketing applied to espionage: blanket targeting, no filters. And like any marketing effort, only a tiny fraction need to respond for the campaign to succeed. To Tehran, even a one per cent success rate from a thousand messages is worth it. It's a chillingly rational approach: volume will eventually produce the quality they seek. And sadly, it works.' In April, Israeli Moti Maman, 73, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for having contacts with Iranian intelligence and travelling twice to Iran while Israel was fighting Tehran's proxies in Gaza and across the region. He is appealing the sentence, but many in Israel have called for an even harsher punishment. Since the Hamas invasion of Israel on October 7 and the subsequent war in Gaza, Israel has been under fire from Iran's proxies in Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, Iraq and the occupied West Bank. Last month, CNN reported that, according to US intelligence chiefs, Israel was weighing an attack on Iran's nuclear sites. It came as US and Iran talks over Tehran's nuclear programme stalled over the issue of uranium enrichment. The US wants Iran to halt all enrichment as the UN's nuclear watchdog says Tehran has enough to make multiple warheads, while Iran says its programme is for civilian uses only and exerts its right to enrich, despite having broken international regulations in doing so. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Iran obtains ‘vast quantity' of secret Israeli military plans
Iran has acquired thousands of secret Israeli nuclear and defence documents, according to its state TV broadcaster. An IRIB report on Saturday claimed: 'Iran's intelligence apparatus has obtained a vast quantity of strategic and sensitive information and documents belonging to the Zionist regime '. It said a mission to obtain the material - including documents, images and videos - was carried out 'a while ago'. Ronen Solomon, an Israeli intelligence analyst, told The Telegraph: 'I don't believe this latest information was gathered by Israelis, I think it's been stolen by hacking, more likely by a big group like Anonymous for Justice.' Mr Solomon said he suspected the operation took place last year. 'Usually when someone steals something like this and sells it on the dark network, it takes time for someone to buy it as the price negotiation and authentication takes time,' he added. A Microsoft report last year said Israel had become the top target of state-backed Iranian cyberattacks, overtaking the US. Israel has not commented on the claims. 'We don't know if it's information which is scientific or operational, and it could maybe be something like details of the supply chain, but it could also be a psychological operation,' Mr Solomon said. Dozens of Israeli citizens have been arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran, with Tehran launching an unprecedented wave of operations aimed at intelligence gathering and assassinating the Jewish state's top political and military figures. Last month, two Israeli men were arrested on suspicion of spying in the home town of Israel Katz, the defence minister. Mr Katz said he believed the men had been involved in 'an Iranian plot to harm me as defence minister of the State of Israel'. Sites such as the operating rooms of Israel's Iron Dome air defence system and the secretive nuclear site in Dimona, have been at the centre of Iran's secret operations. Oded Ailam, the former head of Mossad's counter-terrorism unit, said Iran has discarded the slow, resource-heavy methods of classical espionage, in which individual insiders are recruited over a long period of time. He said Iran had instead turned to aggressive mass campaigns on social media, with thousands of Israelis approached in one fell swoop. 'Messages like 'Want to earn some easy cash?' now pepper the digital landscape. No serious screening or background checks, just a Telegram or email message offering money for a 'simple task'. Track a senior figure. Snap a photo of a base. Willing to try? You're in,' he explained. 'This is Iran's version of digital marketing applied to espionage: blanket targeting, no filters. And like any marketing effort, only a tiny fraction need to respond for the campaign to succeed. To Tehran, even a one per cent success rate from a thousand messages is worth it. It's a chillingly rational approach: volume will eventually produce the quality they seek. And sadly, it works.' In April, Israeli Moti Maman, 73, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for having contacts with Iranian intelligence and travelling twice to Iran while Israel was fighting Tehran's proxies in Gaza and across the region. He is appealing the sentence, but many in Israel have called for an even harsher punishment. Since the Hamas invasion of Israel on October 7 and the subsequent war in Gaza, Israel has been under fire from Iran's proxies in Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, Iraq and the occupied West Bank. Last month, CNN reported that, according to US intelligence chiefs, Israel was weighing an attack on Iran's nuclear sites. It came as US and Iran talks over Tehran's nuclear programme stalled over the issue of uranium enrichment. The US wants Iran to halt all enrichment as the UN's nuclear watchdog says Tehran has enough to make multiple warheads, while Iran says its programme is for civilian uses only and exerts its right to enrich, despite having broken international regulations in doing so.
