Why do nations target nuclear scientists?

Why do nations target nuclear scientists? Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, launched on June 13, killed at least 14 Iranian nuclear scientists, aiming to disrupt Iran’s nuclear programme. The open targeting, coupled with military strikes, marks a rare, aggressive escalation in counter-proliferation strategy By Agencies Updated On - 20 June 2025, 12:22 PM Atlanta: Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, launched on June 13, 2025, is believed to have resulted in the deaths of at least 14 Iranian nuclear scientists. This military campaign, aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear ambitions and degrading its military infrastructure, marks a significant escalation in the long-standing shadow war between the two nations. Among those killed were prominent figures like Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, a theoretical physicist and head of Iran’s Islamic Azad University, and Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani, a former head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation. The strategy behind targeting scientists is to undermine the continuity and institutional memory of Iran’s nuclear programme by removing individuals with critical technical knowledge. This tactic echoes the 2020 assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, often described as the mastermind of Iran’s nuclear efforts, whose death was widely attributed to Israeli intelligence. This approach—deliberate attacks on scientists—has a long history, dating back to the dawn of the nuclear age. From 1944 to 2025, nearly 100 cases of scientist targeting have been recorded. However, Israel’s current campaign stands out in both scale and openness. Unlike earlier covert operations, Israel publicly claimed responsibility for the assassinations, while also simultaneously launching attacks on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, air defence systems, and energy facilities. Despite the visibility of these actions, academic research suggests limited success from such strategies in halting nuclear development. While assassinations can temporarily delay progress, they rarely eliminate a nuclear program altogether. In some cases, such acts may even fuel a state’s determination to pursue nuclear weapons and galvanize domestic support for retaliation. Historical records compiled by political analysts show that four nations have targeted scientists working on nine separate nuclear programs. Israel and the United States have been the most active in this realm, though the UK and Soviet Union have also engaged in such actions. Notably, scientists working for Iran, Iraq, and Egypt have been frequent targets. Before this latest Israeli campaign, ten Iranian nuclear scientists had already been assassinated since 2007. The targeting has not always been limited to scientists within the country in question. For instance, in 1980, Mossad allegedly bombed the home of Italian engineer Mario Fiorelli, warning European firms involved in Iraq’s nuclear efforts. Such incidents illustrate that state-sponsored targeting can extend far beyond national borders. While Israel’s campaign fits into this historical context, it is driven by contemporary geopolitical calculations. Since mid-2024, experts had been warning of a likely Israeli strike due to Iran’s expanding enrichment capabilities and the shifting power balance in the Middle East. Israel had already weakened Iranian proxies Hamas and Hezbollah, dismantled air defences near Tehran, and benefited from the collapse of Syria’s Assad regime, which had been a key Iranian ally. These developments left Iran isolated and militarily vulnerable. In this weakened state, Iranian leadership likely saw nuclear expansion—particularly enrichment beyond 60% uranium purity—as a strategic necessity. This level of enrichment is just below the threshold needed for nuclear weapons. The international community became alarmed, especially after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) declared Iran to be in non-compliance with nuclear non-proliferation obligations. Iran responded by installing advanced centrifuge technology and expanding to a third enrichment site. The nature of Israel’s recent targeting is also remarkable for its transparency and coordination. Rather than isolate assassinations from other military efforts, Israel has combined them with conventional airstrikes, making this one of the most integrated counter-proliferation campaigns in recent history. While previous attacks relied on simple methods—such as car bombs or shootings—modern attacks have become more sophisticated. For example, Fereydoun Abbasi, who was killed in this operation, had previously survived a 2010 car bombing. The 2020 assassination of Fakhrizadeh used a remotely controlled machine gun, highlighting the technological evolution in these operations. Rationale behind targeting scientists In addition to military action, diplomacy, sanctions, cyberattacks, and intelligence operations form part of a broader non-proliferation strategy. The rationale behind targeting scientists is to impose delays, increase costs, and deter others from contributing to such programs. Supporters argue this sends a strong message and hampers the adversary’s momentum. Israel’s military described its most recent attacks as delivering “a significant blow to the regime’s ability to acquire weapons of mass destruction.” However, critics point out that Iran likely has thousands of scientists involved in its nuclear program. Eliminating a few—even prominent ones—may not significantly alter the country’s trajectory. Moreover, such assassinations raise ethical, legal, and humanitarian concerns, especially as scientists are generally considered civilians. These actions risk elevating the victims to the status of martyrs, potentially strengthening public support for nuclear development. While the targeting of nuclear scientists is not new, Israel’s latest approach marks a shift in both intensity and openness. Whether it will succeed in deterring Iran remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the tactic is likely to remain part of the foreign policy playbook in conflicts involving nuclear proliferation.