US-Israeli Aggression Aims to Prevent Iran’s Progress: Top Academic
Professor Ali Montazeri, head of Iran’s Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), made the statement while addressing an online event titled “Iran’s Dignity and Power; A Message beyond Missiles,” organized by IQNA on Saturday.
The event came following a 12-day US-Israeli aggression on Iran which began on June 13 after the Israeli regime launched attacks on Iran, assassinating a number of scientists, top commanders, as well as hundreds of civilians.
Iran’s strong response to the aggression pushed the regime to enter into a unilateral ceasefire.
“This is not the first time the Zionist regime has assassinated our scientists,” Montazeri said, referring to assassination of Iranian academics by the regime in the past two decades.
“During the 12-day imposed war, they targeted several scholars using entirely unethical means that clearly violate international law,” he added.
Montazeri said the targeting of scientists has been a tactic embedded in the nature of the Israeli regime. “From its inception, this regime has relied on assassination and conflict for survival. Wherever it could, it resorted to violent methods to silence opposition.”
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He emphasized that those targeted were not involved in military or nuclear activities. “Let’s not forget these individuals were university professors—purely academic and scientific figures,” Montazeri said. “Only in rare cases did their expertise overlap with peaceful applications in the nuclear industry.”
He added that many of the victims were working in specialized fields such as quantum physics and related areas. “Their contributions had peaceful applications, and they were helping develop technology through teaching and research—not building weapons.”
Montazeri slammed Western media’s attempts to portray the victims as central to nuclear weapons development. “This false narrative is part of a broader strategy to justify the assassinations and mislead the global community.”
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The ultimate goal of these attacks is to prevent Iran’s progress, he said, adding, “The enemies of Iran know that our scientists are at the heart of national development and civilizational advancement.”
He also dismissed the idea that such assassinations could deter Iran’s scientific momentum. “These heinous acts will not stop us. Our universities are active, and the students trained by these martyrs will continue their path with even greater determination.”
Calling the strategy “deeply flawed,” Montazeri said, “They miscalculated the consequences. Assassinating a few scientists will not halt a nation’s pursuit of knowledge.”
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