Iranian Nuclear Scientist Sedighi Saber Killed in Israeli Airstrike Amid Ceasefire Talks
Mohammad Reza Sedighi Saber, a prominent Iranian nuclear scientist and senior officer in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was confirmed dead following an Israeli airstrike in northern Tehran, according to Iranian media reports on Tuesday. This incident occurred shortly before Iran and Israel agreed to a ceasefire mediated by US President Donald Trump, halting a 12-day military engagement.
Saber was a significant contributor to Iran's nuclear weapons research program and was targeted in a precise strike that also impacted infrastructure near the Fordow uranium enrichment facility and Evin Prison, known for housing political prisoners and dissidents. The airstrike has sparked strong reactions within Iran, with government officials condemning it as a deliberate attempt to disrupt peace negotiations.
The attack was part of a larger Israeli military operation conducted just before the ceasefire was announced. In response, Iran launched missiles toward Israeli cities and targeted the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which is home to a significant US military presence. These retaliatory actions heightened tensions, although there were no reported casualties at the US facility.
Although the ceasefire has officially commenced, the situation remains unstable. Military analysts have expressed concerns that such high-profile killings could trigger renewed conflicts or hinder ongoing diplomatic efforts to bring stability to the region.
As both nations evaluate their strategic options, the international community is closely monitoring the situation, worried that the fragile ceasefire could collapse under the pressure of recent escalations.
