KATHMANDU, Israel has reportedly assassinated at least 14 Iranian nuclear scientists during the recent 12-day conflict, according to the Associated Press (AP).

The victims include chemists, physicists, and engineers, targeted in what are believed to be highly coordinated attacks.

The revelation came from Joshua Zarka, Israel’s ambassador to France, who claimed that the killings dealt a significant blow to Iran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons. According to Zarka, the loss of these key personnel has made it “virtually impossible” for Iran to continue weapon development using its remaining nuclear infrastructure and materials.

“The elimination of an entire group means that the program has been pushed back by many years,” Zarka told AP.

The very next day after Zarka’s comments, Iranian state television confirmed that nuclear scientist Mohammad Reza Sedighi Saber had been killed in an Israeli strike. Saber was reportedly wounded in a June 13 attack that also killed his 17-year-old son.

Despite the severe blow, analysts cited by AP say Iran still retains other scientists who could step in to fill the gaps. While the assassinations may have delayed Iran’s nuclear ambitions, they are unlikely to halt the program entirely. Iran has previously stated that it has no intention of abandoning its nuclear plans.

The targeted killings underscore escalating tensions between Israel and Iran and raise further concerns about long-term regional stability in the Middle East.