Iranian strikes on the Weizmann Institute of Science
| Iranian strikes on Weizmann Institute of Science | |
|---|---|
| Part of the Twelve-Day War and the Middle Eastern crisis | |
| Type | Ballistic missile strikes |
| Location | |
| Target | Weizmann Institute of Science |
| Date | 15 June 2025 |
| Executed by | Iran |
| Outcome |
|
| Casualties | None |
On 15 June 2025, Iran launched ballistic missile strikes on the Weizmann Institute of Science, a scientific and military research facility in Rehovot, Israel, targeting and demolishing multiple facilities within the complex and inflicting considerable damage.[1][2][3][4][5][6] Approximately 45 research laboratories in the Weizmann Institute sustained damage, impacting an estimated 400 to 500 researchers.
Israeli media reported that Iran intentionally aimed at an advanced research facility associated with the Israeli military.[7]
Background
Israel has assassinated a number of Iranian nuclear scientists, in a bid to undermine Iran's nuclear program. The Weizmann Institute was reported to have collaborative research projects with Israeli defense companies.[7]
Damage
Approximately 90 percent of the structures in the institute were damaged, ranging from direct missile impacts to collateral consequences like shock waves, shrapnel, and fires. This damage included broken windows, collapsed laboratory floors, ruined electrical systems, and water damage resulting from firefighting efforts. The institute's Planetary Sciences Building, containing geochemistry laboratories and other chemistry-related programs, suffered significant damage from the shock waves generated by the missiles. [8]
Alon Khen, the director of the institute, stated that the strikes had destroyed 22 laboratories, 112 university buildings, and two primary administration structures. Around 25% of the institute's operations were suspended.[9]
Officials from the Weizmann Institute told a session of the Knesset Finance Committee that the damage inflicted on the institute totalled two billion shekels (approximately $600 million).[9]
Reaction
Yoel Gazansky, a specialist in Iranian affairs at the Israeli Institute for National Security Studies, said the Weizmann Institute had been regarded as a "symbol of Israel's scientific and technological advancement", and that Iran was conveying through this attack that "if you harm our scientists, we will retaliate by targeting your scientific personnel."[9]
References
- ^ Bletter, Diana (29 June 2025). "their labs destroyed by a missile weizmann scientists publish innovative blood cancer study". Times of Israel.
- ^ "iran strikes damage hard to assess under israeli military censorship". english.alarabiya. 26 June 2025.
- ^ "Israel's Weizmann Institute mourns research lost in Iran strike". jpost. 28 June 2025.
- ^ "fact check image mislabels iran base as israeli institute". DW.
- ^ "iranian missile attacks damage haifa oil refinery and rehovot university buildings". Times of Israel. 15 June 2025.
- ^ "Twelve-day war: Impact of Iran's strikes censored by Israel". france24. 5 August 2025.
- ^ a b "Iranian missile strikes Israel's 'crown jewel of science'". apnews. 19 June 2025.
- ^ "Weizmann in ruins: How Iran's missiles shattered Israel's top military research hub". mizanonline.
- ^ a b c "حمله موشکی ایران به «وایزمن»فاجعهای بیسابقه برای اسرائیل بود". mashreghnews. 7 July 2025.