Reza Mozaffari Nia
Born 1959 (1959)
Isfahan, Iran
Died 28 February 2026(2026-02-28) (aged 66–67)
Iran
Allegiance Iran
Branch Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
Rank Brigadier general
Commands Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research

Reza Mozaffari Nia (Persian: رضا مظفری‌نیا, also spelled Reza Mozaffarinia or Reza Mozafarnia; 1959 – 28 February 2026) was an Iranian military official who served as director of the Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND), an entity within Iran's Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) associated with research into sensitive technologies. He previously held positions as deputy defence minister and dean of Malek-Ashtar University of Technology (MUT). Mozaffari-Nia was sanctioned by the United States for his alleged involvement in Iran's missile and weapons of mass destruction programmes. He was killed in the 2026 Israeli–United States strikes on Iran.

Early life and education

Mozaffari Nia was born in 1959 in Isfahan, Iran.[1][2]

Career

Mozaffari-Nia served as deputy defence minister in Iran's MODAFL and as dean of Malek-Ashtar University of Technology (MUT), a university affiliated with the ministry.[3][4] In September 2021, he was appointed director of the Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND), succeeding Mahdi Farahi.[5] The SPND has been described by the United States as the successor to Iran's pre-2004 nuclear weapons programme, involved in developing technologies with potential applications in nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons.[6]

In 2013, the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Mozaffari-Nia under Executive Order 13382 for his role in supporting Iran's missile programme and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.[7][8] The U.S. State Department updated his designation in 2025, stating that as SPND director, he oversaw efforts to acquire dual-use equipment and advance sensitive technologies potentially applicable to nuclear weapons.[9]

Assassination

Mozaffari-Nia was killed on 28 February 2026 during the 2026 Israeli–United States strikes on Iran.[10][11] The strikes targeted senior Iranian defence and security figures, and Mozaffari-Nia was identified as a former SPND chairman who had contributed to nuclear weapons development efforts, per Israeli military statements.[12][13]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Reza MOZAFFARINIA". OpenSanctions. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  2. ^ "Reza Mozaffarinia Hosein". Iran Watch. 24 July 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  3. ^ "Treasury Announces New Sanctions Against Iran". U.S. Department of the Treasury. 23 May 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  4. ^ "Reza Mozaffarinia Hosein". Iran Watch. 24 July 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  5. ^ "NCRI Report: Locations and Details of Iranian Regime's Nuclear Detonator Development Sites". National Council of Resistance of Iran. 20 December 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  6. ^ "Supporting Snapback of UN Sanctions on Iran with Additional Sanctions". U.S. Department of State. 1 October 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  7. ^ "Non-Proliferation Designations and Designation Update". U.S. Department of the Treasury. 1 October 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  8. ^ "Notice of Department of State Sanctions Actions Pursuant to the Executive Order Regarding Blocking Property of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators and Their Supporters". Federal Register. 26 November 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  9. ^ "Supporting Snapback of UN Sanctions on Iran with Additional Sanctions". U.S. Department of State. 1 October 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  10. ^ "IDF confirms Iranian defense minister, IRGC chief among officials killed in opening strike". Ynet News. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  11. ^ "Israeli military lists senior Iranian officials killed in airstrikes". Iran International. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  12. ^ "IDF confirms Iranian defense minister, IRGC chief among officials killed in opening strike". Ynet News. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  13. ^ "Israeli military lists senior Iranian officials killed in airstrikes". Iran International. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.