Execution of Iranian Nuclear Scientist Confirmed

Iranian state media has confirmed that Loosebe Vadi, identified as a leading nuclear scientist, was executed on Wednesday. This action followed suspicions of espionage and alleged collaboration with Israel’s Mossad Intelligence Agency.

Alongside Vadi, Mehdi Asgharzadeh—reportedly a supporter of the Islamic State—was also executed. Vadi marks the seventh known Iranian nuclear scientist killed this summer, with six others reported dead after Israel initiated Operation Riding Lion in June.

In a broadcast from the Islamic Republic Broadcast (IRIB), a video was released of Vadi claiming he provided the Israeli government with sensitive information about two key Iranian nuclear enrichment sites: Fordow and Natanz. These locations, along with the facility in Isfahan, were targeted in U.S. airstrikes shortly after Operation Riding Lion began. Following the strikes, President Trump asserted that the U.S. military had “completely wiped out” one of these sites.

Vadi stated in the translated broadcast, “The main facilities were Fordow and Natanz (Uranium Enrichment Plants). I sent the information.” He indicated that the movement of nuclear materials into specific facilities was crucial.

The Iranian human rights organization highlighted that Vadi had been arrested 18 months prior, suspected of supporting Israeli espionage—long before the failed talks between Washington and Tehran prior to Operation Lion. They noted that Vadi was among 66 individuals facing risk under what they termed an oppressive regime.

Meanwhile, Iranian human rights official Mahmoud Amily Mogadam addressed the situation, cautioning that the Iranian regime appears to be executing political victims, minimizing the political fallout.

“These judgments are based on confessions achieved without fair trials and often obtained under torture,” he stated, adding that these actions violate not only international law but also the laws of the Islamic Republic itself.

Tasnim, a state-run English-language outlet, confirmed Vadi’s execution but did not label him as a nuclear scientist. They reported, “Mossad spy Ruzbevadi was hanged Wednesday morning after being convicted of ties with the Zionist regime’s spy agency.” They further claimed he was linked to one of Iran’s critical organizations and that he joined Mossad via virtual platforms.

Iran International, an independent media outlet, elaborated that Vadi was allegedly contacted online by Mossad agents and eventually met some of them in person in Vienna. At the time of his alleged collaboration, he was working at the Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, responsible for uranium enrichment and nuclear research in Iran. Accusations also emerged that Vadi had shared information about another nuclear scientist among those killed in Operation Riding Lion.

This military operation began on June 12, taking out key figures in Iran’s military and nuclear leadership. Israeli strikes reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least six prominent nuclear scientists, including Feredun Abbasi Davani and Mohamed Medi Tehrenlanchi. The operation also targeted Major General Hossein Salami of the IRGC, known for making inflammatory remarks against Israel.

Israel’s military action coincided with a resolution from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which condemned Iran for unauthorized nuclear developments. IAEA Director Rafael Grossi accused inspectors of failing to allow verification of research sites potentially linked to illegal activities.

Before the IAEA’s condemnation, the Trump administration had restarted discussions with Iran, aiming for an agreement to limit uranium enrichment. Iran had expressed willingness to negotiate in exchange for easing U.S. sanctions. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff indicated that a halt to any uranium enrichment was a non-negotiable “red line” for the White House.

“The enrichment program will never return to Iran. That’s our red line. There’s no enrichment,” he stated, implying that essential facilities like Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan would need to be dismantled.

Despite this pressure, Iranian officials have asserted that they would never cease their enrichment activities. On July 21, Trump confirmed the authorization of a strike against one of Iran’s top enrichment sites.

“Tonight I can report that the strike was an epic military success,” Trump announced in a national address. “Iran’s major nuclear enrichment facility has completely disappeared.”