Who Is Nuno Loureiro, The MIT Nuclear Science Professor Killed At Home, As Israel Alleges Iranian Links?
MIT nuclear science professor Nuno Loureiro was killed at his home on Monday, allegedly by an unidentified assailant who remains at large. Israel has since issued a statement claiming the killing may have been carried out by an Iranian operative. According to a report in the Jerusalem Post, Israeli officials believe Iranian operatives targeted Loureiro, who was described as a leading researcher in nuclear fusion. So far, however, US investigative agencies have not publicly advanced this theory.
Earlier, the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office said: “This is an active and ongoing homicide investigation. No further information is being released at this time.” Separately, speculation has circulated that the case could be connected to a shooting at Brown University, around 80 kilometres from Loureiro’s home, though that link has not been confirmed.
Who was Nuno Loureiro?
Loureiro was a prominent researcher in energy and nuclear physics and was reported to be involved in developing future technologies. He is survived by his wife and three young children. His work focused on nuclear science, engineering and physics, and he was previously reported to have spoken in support of Israel.
Loureiro served as director of MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center, a role he took on last year. His MIT biography notes that he majored in Physics at Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon in 2000 and earned a PhD in Physics from Imperial College London in 2005. The centre has more than 250 full-time researchers, and he was described as a “brilliant” professor with a highly regarded academic record. He also holds degrees from Imperial College London and Princeton.
Brown University shooting angle
Loureiro was killed two days after the Brown University shooting in Rhode Island, in which two students died. Brown University is around 70 kilometres from his home, and both shooters remain at large. The FBI, however, has denied that the two incidents are connected.
Iran-Israel tensions in 2025
The killing comes amid heightened tensions this year over Iran’s nuclear programme. Israel has accused Iran of violating international agreements and building its nuclear arsenal. In August, US President Donald Trump targeted Iranian facilities in Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan, bombing them with more than 125 US military aircraft along with submarines. Iran later vowed retaliation and launched missiles at Tel Aviv.