KLIK SAJA - A senior Iranian nuclear scientist was among nine people killed in an overnight Israeli airstrike in northern Iran, just hours before a ceasefire aimed at ending 11 days of conflict came into effect, according to Iranian officials and state television.
Iran’s state broadcaster reported that the scientist, Mohammad Reza Seddiqi Saber, was killed while staying at his parents’ home in Astaneh-ye Ashrafiyeh, located in Gilan province.
Gilan’s deputy governor confirmed that four apartments were destroyed in a powerful explosion that rocked a densely populated residential building.
Meanwhile, the Israeli government claimed its military had “eliminated another senior nuclear scientist” in recent days, though it did not reveal the individual’s identity.
The statement came alongside an announcement that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet had accepted U.S. President Donald Trump’s ceasefire proposal with Iran.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that his government would abide by the ceasefire as long as Israel did the same.
Trump announced the truce on Monday night, declaring it active by Tuesday and warning both sides not to break it.
However, later that day, Trump lashed out at both countries after the Israeli military claimed it had intercepted several incoming Iranian missiles and vowed to launch fresh airstrikes on Tehran in response.
On June 13, Israel initiated a sweeping air campaign targeting Iran, asserting it was necessary to neutralize what it described as the “existential threat” posed by Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Iran’s Ministry of Health reported that 610 people have been killed by Israeli strikes so far, though one human rights organization placed the death toll at 974.
In retaliation, Iran launched missile strikes against Israel, reportedly killing 28 people, according to Israeli authorities.
Prime Minister Netanyahu claimed that Israeli forces had struck “regime targets” and killed “hundreds” of Iranian security forces and members of the paramilitary Basij Resistance Force.
Iranian Health Minister Mohammad Reza Zafarqandi said Tuesday afternoon that in the past 24 hours alone, Israeli attacks had killed 107 people and injured 1,300 more.
Gilan’s deputy governor general, Ali Bagheri, told Iranian media that nine people were killed and 33 injured in what he called a “terrorist attack” on a residential building in Astaneh-ye Ashrafiyeh.
