A dramatic escalation in the covert war between Israel and Iran has come to light tonight, as Israeli intelligence is believed to have carried out one of the most daring and high-tech assassinations in recent memory—eliminating nine of Iran’s top nuclear scientists in a single, coordinated overnight operation.
The highly secretive strike, a sub-mission within the broader Operation Rising Lion, has now been identified by intelligence sources as Operation Narnia—a name drawn from the fantasy world in C.S. Lewis’s famous novels, signaling the mission’s improbable precision and devastating success.
According to early reports from Israeli Channel 12 and confirmed by multiple regional outlets, the nine nuclear experts were killed while sleeping in their beds—simultaneously—during a meticulously planned and timed strike aimed at preventing any warnings from being passed between targets. A tenth nuclear scientist was killed in a follow-up strike hours later.
Those assassinated include some of Iran’s most critical minds in its nuclear development effort:
Fereydoun Abbasi, Mohammad Mahdi Tehranchi, Akbar Matlali Zadeh, Saeed Beraji, Amir Hassan Faqahi, Abd al-Hamid Minushahr, Mansour Asgari, Ahmad Reza Davalparki Daryani, and Ali Bakhayi Kathehremi.
Sources say the killings were executed using a classified, high-tech weapon—so advanced, in fact, that Israeli authorities have barred details of it from being made public. The operation reportedly had been in planning for months, with final authorization given in November, after years of tracking the scientists.
One Israeli official told Channel 12 that the scientists had grown complacent, believing themselves to be safe at home—especially since previous targeted killings typically occurred during commutes or at workplace exits.
This latest action showcases a hallmark of Israeli intelligence: creative, precise, and often improbable tactics. One earlier case cited by sources includes an operation where Israeli agents used custom-made pagers rigged with PETN explosives to eliminate Hezbollah operatives—suggesting that whatever was used in Operation Narnia could be similarly unorthodox.
As part of its wider strategy, Israel has been using this wave of attacks not only to cripple Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities but also to engage in information warfare. In a pointed message posted on the Israel Defense Forces’ Persian-language social media, the IDF stated that Iranian leaders were “begging behind closed doors for the country not to become another Gaza or Lebanon.”
In response, Iran launched retaliatory missile strikes against a building it claimed was linked to Israeli intelligence agency Mossad. But in a public jab, Israel responded:
“Fortunately, no one was there … everyone is in Iran.”
While the full fallout of these attacks remains to be seen, the operation is a devastating blow to Iran’s nuclear ambitions, with experts noting that while weapons and military leaders can be replaced, scientific expertise takes years—if not decades—to rebuild.
This is Katy Moore reporting. We will continue following this explosive story as new details emerge. Stay with SNEWS TV for continuing coverage of this rapidly evolving conflict.
Reporting by Carl Montel.
