Dr. Hossein Simayi-Sarraf, Minister of Science, Research and Technology, President of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO
To: Ms. Audrey Azoulay
Director-General of UNESCO
Subject: Targeted Assassination of Iranian Scientists by the Israeli Regime
Your Excellency,
It is with deep sorrow that I wish to draw your attention to the tragic and alarming news of the targeted assassinations of Iranian scientists through acts of terrorism perpetrated by the Israeli regime. As you may already have been informed, between 13 and 16 June 2025, a series of attacks took place on Iranian soil, in blatant violation of international law.
Regrettably, the following distinguished scientists were martyred as a result of the Israeli regime’s brutal and inhumane actions:
1. Prof. Seyed Amirhossein Faghihi – Faculty Member, Shahid Beheshti University
2. Prof. Abdolhamid Minoocher – Faculty Member, Shahid Beheshti University
3. Prof. Fereydoon Abbasi-Davani – Faculty Member, Imam Hossein University
4. Prof. Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi – Faculty Member, Shahid Beheshti University; President of Islamic Azad University
5. Prof. Akbar Matlabi-Zadeh – Physicist
6. Prof. Ahmadreza Zolfaghari – Faculty Member, Shahid Beheshti University
7. Prof. Saeed Borji – Physicist
8. Prof. Mansour Asgari – Researcher in Advanced Technologies
9. Prof. Ali Bakaei Karimi – Researcher in Engineering Sciences
10. Prof. Ali Bakooi Katerimi – Physicist
11. Dr. Majid Tajan Jari – Renowned Pioneer in Artificial Intelligence
12. Mr. Mohammadreza Zakerian – Leading AI Specialist and Technology Researcher
These esteemed scholars were deliberately targeted and assassinated in their own homes, alongside their innocent families—an egregious violation of the sanctity of civilian life and a clear breach of international humanitarian law.
In a particularly reprehensible act, the private residence of Dr. Masoud Shamsbakhsh, Deputy Minister of Science, Research and Technology, located within the faculty residential complex, was intentionally destroyed.
Tragically, one of his daughters was killed, while another sustained severe injuries to her arm.
Equally appalling was the brutal assault on Mr. Mohammadreza Zakerian, a leading expert in artificial intelligence, who was martyred together with his wife and young children in their home.
With great sorrow, I must underscore that this is not the first terrorist attack on Iranian scientists. Rather, these heinous assassinations represent the latest in a series of targeted killings that have systematically sought to eliminate Iranian scholars over the past fifteen years.
As you are well aware, the right to science is enshrined in Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and reaffirmed in several other normative instruments. This right is a cornerstone of UNESCO’s Natural Sciences Strategy, particularly under the imperative to "promote the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications." Furthermore, UNESCO has committed itself to protecting scientists through its 2017 Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers, which underscores the importance of freedom, security, and dignity for members of the scientific community.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has long strived to become a center of scientific excellence. Its achievements in nuclear technology have been pursued strictly within the framework of Article IV of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which guarantees the inalienable right of all States Parties to develop and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
Given the urgent environmental challenges posed by the overconsumption of fossil fuels, the need to transition toward sustainable energy sources such as nuclear energy is more critical than ever. This technology offers indispensable tools for achieving sustainable development goals, and international organizations—particularly UNESCO, which places climate change among its top priorities—must actively support states in this regard.
In view of the above, I respectfully call upon UNESCO and Your Excellency, as the head of this prominent international scientific and educational body, to strongly condemn the targeted killings of Iranian scientists and to issue a firm, principled, and proportionate response to this grave violation of fundamental human rights and scientific freedom. Please accept, Madam Director-General, the assurances of my highest consideration.
Hossein Simayi-Sarraf
Minister of Science, Research and Technology
President of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO