In the early hours of June 13, 2025, nine Iranian nuclear scientists were killed while sleeping in their homes. This deadly attack, reportedly carried out by Israeli forces, shocked many around the world. The operation, called “Rising Lion” and “Narnia”, was part of a secret mission to strike Iran’s military nuclear program.
Information about the mission slowly started to come out in the days that followed. A senior official from Israel’s military confirmed the event nearly a week later. According to the official, over 120 intelligence and military members were part of the secret plan.
The planning began early in the year. But even before that, Israel had prepared a list of key Iranian nuclear figures. These scientists were ranked based on their military importance and how hard they would be to replace. The most experienced and knowledgeable experts were marked as top targets.
The list included top officials involved in Tehran’s nuclear projects. These individuals were seen as the greatest threat to Israel’s national security. They were labeled as irreplaceable assets who held vital knowledge in Iran’s nuclear development.
The mission was split into different roles. Some units were tasked with destroying radar systems, others were in charge of disabling command centers, and another group was responsible for targeting the scientists. Every step was carefully planned in advance.
On the night of the attack, the scientists were at home, fast asleep. Many believed they were safe in their private homes, as earlier killings mostly took place during travel. This time, however, the attackers changed their method.
Channel 12, a major Israeli broadcaster, reported that the scientists were killed using a special type of weapon. The weapon was designed to work silently, while the victims slept. The exact nature of the weapon has not been made public by Israeli officials.
It was also revealed that the mission was designed to prevent any chance of escape. The goal was to eliminate each scientist before they could react or alert anyone. The execution was fast, silent, and highly precise.
Channel 12 also claimed that Israeli intelligence had been tracking these scientists for many years. Their movements were watched closely. By November 2024, the final kill list was confirmed.
Israeli officials reportedly believed that while military hardware could be replaced quickly, scientific knowledge could not. These scientists had spent decades developing Iran’s nuclear program. If they were removed, rebuilding that knowledge base would take years.
All the men who died were key parts of Iran’s nuclear research and development team. Some are believed to have been direct successors of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the so-called father of Iran’s nuclear program. Fakhrizadeh was assassinated in 2020, also in a suspected Israeli attack.
The scientists killed in June were believed to be leading Iran’s next-generation nuclear capabilities. Their loss, according to experts, could cause serious delays in Iran’s nuclear plans.
Even though Iran has not officially responded in detail, local media have reported on the attack. Many in Iran have demanded answers, while global leaders watch the situation closely. The killing of the scientists adds new tension to the already strained relationship between the two countries.
Israel has not confirmed all the details but has said it will act to protect its people. The mission was part of that promise, said officials.
The killing of the Iranian nuclear scientists in such a quiet and shocking manner has drawn global attention. It shows how far nations will go to stop their enemies’ progress, especially when it comes to nuclear power. This incident marks a new chapter in the silent war between Israel and Iran.
