When Israeli missiles targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities earlier this month, one of the notable casualties was Fereidoun Abbasi, the former chief of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation. Known for once surviving a 2010 assassination attempt, Abbasi had long dismissed the threat of being targeted again, famously claiming he would willingly build nuclear weapons if asked. This time, however, he was not so lucky. His death not only shocked Iran but also reignited memories of a previous high-profile assassination — that of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the key figure behind Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

For years, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh remained an enigma, known mostly through classified intelligence reports. He was believed to be the driving force behind "Project Amad," a secret Iranian program to develop nuclear weapons in the early 2000s. He stayed entirely out of the public eye — never seen in interviews or public events — earning comparisons to Robert Oppenheimer. When the Iran nuclear deal was signed in 2015, his name was deliberately kept out due to its sensitivity. In 2018, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly revealed Fakhrizadeh’s identity on television, saying, “Remember that name,” as he showcased documents allegedly proving Iran’s nuclear weapons ambitions.

On November 27, 2020, Fakhrizadeh was travelling with his wife and security team to their villa in Absard, near Tehran. The drive seemed routine until they passed a parked pickup truck, which appeared abandoned. Inside, however, was a remotely operated FN MAG machine gun, connected through satellite and powered by facial recognition AI. The ambush was executed without any agents on site. As the vehicle slowed near a speed bump and a stray dog passed, the gun fired, hitting the car and eventually Fakhrizadeh. He was shot multiple times — once in the shoulder, then fatally in the spine — while his wife remained unharmed. Although the truck was rigged to self-destruct, the explosion failed to destroy all the equipment, leaving behind significant evidence of the operation.

The sophisticated nature of the strike bore all the hallmarks of Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, though Israel never officially claimed credit. Former Mossad director Yossi Cohen later alluded to Israeli involvement, describing Fakhrizadeh as a legitimate target. Reports revealed that Mossad had tracked the scientist for months, smuggling the weapon in pieces into Iran and assembling it secretly. The assassination, executed entirely by remote control, is considered one of the most technologically advanced in history. According to Iranian military officials, the precision was so refined that Fakhrizadeh was the only person harmed. His death intensified Iran’s distrust of the West, disrupted nuclear negotiations, and empowered hardliners within the country. In response, Iran ramped up uranium enrichment, further jeopardizing diplomatic efforts.