Following Israel’s targeted killings of several key Iranian nuclear scientists during a recent 12-day conflict, Tehran has reportedly taken extraordinary measures to shield its remaining experts from further attacks. According to a report by The Telegraph, surviving members of Iran’s nuclear research community have been relocated to secure “safe houses” in the capital and northern cities along the Caspian coast. Many of them, along with their families, now live under round-the-clock protection, while those who previously held teaching positions at universities have been removed from public academic roles to reduce their exposure.
A senior Iranian official told the British newspaper that these measures were driven by fears of additional Israeli operations targeting individuals believed to be part of Iran’s nuclear weaponisation programme. The official noted that over 15 surviving scientists—out of an estimated 100 individuals reportedly on Israel’s target list—have been extracted from their residences and professional posts. “Most of them are no longer living in their houses – they are either moved to safe houses in Tehran or to the north,” he said, adding that their former academic posts have been filled by individuals with no ties to nuclear research.
Despite these precautions, Israeli intelligence sources warn that Iran’s programme may be entering a new phase, with a younger generation of researchers stepping into the roles vacated by slain scientists. These emerging figures reportedly have expertise in critical areas, including explosives engineering, neutron physics, and warhead design. Israeli defence analyst Ronen Solomon highlighted that some surviving personnel have worked on adapting Shahab-3 ballistic missiles for nuclear warheads, making them highly valuable—and vulnerable—targets. He stressed that while previous strikes largely targeted specialists in warhead development, those with delivery system expertise are equally strategic to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
The deep integration of nuclear expertise into Iranian universities has also drawn the attention of Israeli forces. This connection was reflected in recent strikes on Tehran’s Shahid Beheshti University and Imam Hossein University—both institutions with close ties to Iran’s military and nuclear programmes. Israeli analysts believe that disrupting this academic-military nexus is key to halting Iran’s progress toward weaponisation.
The recent escalation took place during a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, which ended with a ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump on June 23. The war inflicted heavy losses on Iran, with reports of more than 620 fatalities, including 12 scientists and 20 senior military commanders, and over 4,870 wounded. Israel, while facing significant civilian casualties—28 killed and more than 3,200 injured—reported no military deaths. Analysts suggest that the targeted killings and strikes on key facilities were part of a broader Israeli strategy to cripple Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities before they could advance further.
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