The year 2025 has proved to be extremely turbulent for Iran, with serious setbacks both strategically and internally. While Iran’s proxy groups—Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis—have suffered major losses, the country has also faced a significant blow to its nuclear programme. According to an Israeli intelligence dossier, 14 Iranian nuclear scientists were killed in 2025, but more than 85 scientists are still alive, keeping concerns alive for Israel and the United States.

The dossier claims that the killings were carried out by Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad under a covert operation codenamed Operation Nornia. The operation reportedly targeted Iran’s top nuclear minds to slow down or derail its nuclear ambitions.

How the operation began
According to a report cited by The Washington Post, Mossad intensified its activities after the fall of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Following this development, Israeli intelligence compiled detailed dossiers on around 100 Iranian nuclear scientists. Local operatives were then deployed inside Iran to carry out targeted assassinations.

The report states that most of the 14 scientists killed in 2025 were attacked either at their homes or while travelling. Different individuals were assigned to target each scientist, many of whom were Iranian nationals. Mossad allegedly used a range of methods, including snipers, firearms, drones, and explosive devices.

Scientists forced into hiding
Initially, the focus was on scientists at the top of the priority list. However, once the assassinations began, Iranian authorities moved swiftly to protect key figures. Several prominent scientists were taken underground, while others were relocated to secret facilities near military headquarters to prevent further attacks.

How Mossad gathered information
The dossier outlines several methods used to collect intelligence on Iran’s nuclear scientists:

– In August 2025, Iran executed nuclear scientist Rouzbeh Wadi, accusing him of leaking sensitive information to Israel. Israeli sources claim Mossad used intelligence from Wadi to prepare detailed profiles of nuclear personnel.
– Mossad undercover agents reportedly operated in Tehran for nearly a decade, many posing as truck drivers, to track scientists’ movements and routines.
– Information was also allegedly gathered with the help of foreign tourists from countries such as Sweden, as well as through cooperation with the US intelligence agency CIA.

Impact on Iran’s nuclear programme
Iran’s nuclear programme has reportedly come to a standstill following Israeli and American strikes in June 2025. According to the International Nuclear Monitoring Agency, Iran had enriched uranium up to 60 percent before the attacks. Enrichment at 90 percent would be sufficient to build a nuclear weapon.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that the nuclear sites hit in the attacks need extensive cleanup before any future decisions can be taken. Until then, progress on the programme remains halted.