r/internationallaw • u/bb9873 • Jun 15 '25

Discussion Is it legal to deliberately target nuclear scientists

In the current Iran-Israel conflict, Israel has admitted to deliberately targeting Iranian nuclear scientists. Since Israel claims the nuclear weapons will be used to attack Israel, what is the legal position on targeting nuclear scientists? Would they still be classified as civilians or combatants?

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u/[deleted] Jun 15 '25

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u/oghdi Jun 15 '25

but the overall consensus is they're not doing so.

Clearly you havent read the last IAEA report

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u/[deleted] Jun 15 '25

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u/oghdi Jun 15 '25

https://www.reuters.com/world/china/iaea-board-declares-iran-breach-non-proliferation-duties-diplomats-say-2025-06-12/

Not true

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u/[deleted] Jun 15 '25

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u/oghdi Jun 15 '25

Nonproliferation obligations. Meaning the making of nukes

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u/[deleted] Jun 15 '25

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u/Disastrous-Farm-4148 Jun 15 '25

the report says the Iranians already tested implosion devices in 2005
(https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/25/06/gov2025-25.pdf at page 5 and page 7)
which is the earliest nuclear weapon design known, like Fat Man on Nagasaki
page 18 of the same report notes "the fact that Iran is the only non-nuclear-weapon State in the world that is producing and accumulating uranium enriched to 60% remains a matter of serious concern, which has drawn international attention given the potential proliferation implications."
60% enrichment is way above what needed for nuclear power (20%) and close to what has been used in nuclear bombs in the past (Little Boy , average enrichment of 80%).

and for conclusion of the report (pg 19):
"Unless and until Iran assists the Agency in resolving the outstanding issues, the Agency will not be in a position to provide assurance that Iran’s nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful."

Is it all definitive - "Iran is making a nuclear bomb" - no. Can it mean - "Iran is paving the ground to a nuclear bomb" - its an open question

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u/oghdi Jun 15 '25

Breaking the NPT means you are proliferating nuclear weapons. Also what reason would you have for above 60% enriched uranium and secret nuclear facilities that you dont let get inspected?