Israel believes that Iran decided to pursue bomb-making after the October 7, 2024 attack. Israeli intelligence agency Mossad informed the government about this decision. Multiple tests for bomb design had been conducted, reaching a critical stage, leading to Israel's decision for a strike on Iran.
According to Hebrew media reports, Israel discovered that the Islamic Republic's scientists had successfully tested nuclear weapon designs. This knowledge indicated the potential to construct a bomb within weeks.
Intelligence Received Just Before the Attack
Times of Israel reported, citing anonymous security officials, that crucial intelligence was received on Friday, leading to an airstrike decision on Iran. Israeli intelligence officials had previously alerted political leaders about critical nuclear bomb design tests conducted by Iran.
Fears of Advancing Nuclear Program
Concerns were expressed about the possibility of missing information and Iran being further advanced in their nuclear bomb-making process than known. The report indicates that Iran had mobilized scientists into groups to secretly transform nuclear material into an explosive device.
Nuclear Weapon Development Started After Hamas Attack
Israel's intelligence agency believes this endeavor began in late 2023 or early 2024, shortly after the Hamas attack on October 7th, which triggered a war in Gaza. The processes of designing nuclear weapons and enriching uranium to a high level were occurring simultaneously, with Israel asserting that uranium enrichment had no civilian utility, thus indicating solely military intentions.
Enough Uranium for Nine Nuclear Bombs
By the end of May, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran had a uranium stockpile sufficient, if further enriched, to build nine nuclear weapons. Army Radio stated that Israeli Defense Forces closely monitored secretive weapon development, confirming Iran's intent following the southern Israel massacre.
Scientists Engaged in Nuclear Development for Years
A senior Israeli military officer announced on Saturday that all scientists killed during initial attacks had been involved in developing explosive nuclear devices for years. The IDF identified nine killed Iranian nuclear scientists, providing details on the mission to eliminate them. Their names were Fereydoon Abbasi - nuclear engineering expert, Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchoo - physics expert, Akbar Motalebi Zadeh - chemical engineering expert, Saeed Barzi - material engineering expert, Amir Hassan Fakhahi - physics expert, Abd al-Hamid Minoushahr - reactor physics expert, Mansour Asgari - physics expert, Ahmad Reza Zolfaghari Daryani - nuclear engineering expert, and Ali Bakhai Katirimi - mechanical expert.
Pioneers of Iran's Nuclear Project Eliminated
The IDF stated that the targeted scientists and specialists were vital knowledge sources for the Iranian nuclear project and had decades of experience in weapon development. The report highlighted several as successors to 'father of Iran’s nuclear project' Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, allegedly assassinated by Israel in 2020.
Simultaneous Elimination of All Scientists by Israel
According to the Israeli military, nine individuals were killed in simultaneous strikes on Tehran early Friday, as part of a series of attacks that claimed the lives of dozens of military commanders, including six top officers. The elimination of the scientists was achieved through intensive intelligence research, accelerated as part of a classified, compartmentalized IDF plan over the previous year.
