Seyyed Amir Hossein Feghhi

Amir Hossein Feghhi
سید امیر حسین فقهی
Born(1978-09-11)September 11, 1978
DiedJune 13, 2025(2025-06-13) (aged 46)
Tehran, Iran
Cause of deathMissile strike by Israel
NationalityIranian
EducationPhD in Nuclear Engineering (Energy Focus)
Alma materAmirkabir University of Technology
Occupations
EmployerIslamic Republic of Iran
OrganizationAtomic Energy Organization of Iran
Known forNuclear engineering

Seyed Amir Hossein Feghhi (September 11, 1978 – June 13, 2025) was an Iranian nuclear engineer and academic, recognised for his significant contributions to the field of nuclear physics and nuclear engineering. He was the Deputy of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and a faculty member at Shahid Beheshti University (SBU). He was killed during the opening attacks of the Iran–Israel war.[1]

Feghhi was one of Iran’s prominent nuclear scientists and an active researcher in cancer treatment using nuclear technology. He was among the pioneering Iranians involved in developing nuclear power plants for electricity generation.[2] Feghhi played a key role in Iran in designing and launching national projects for peaceful nuclear technology. He was recognized as one of Iran’s distinguished scientific luminaries.[3]

Life and activities

Amir Hossein Feghhi was born on September 11, 1978, in Shiraz, Iran, and completed his primary and secondary education in his hometown.

He earned a bachelor's degree in nuclear physics from Urmia University and went on to earn a master's degree (2003) and a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering with a focus on energy (2008), from Amirkabir University of Technology. In 2007, he took part in a research program at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Switzerland, deepening his expertise before returning to Iran.

From 2002 to 2004, he was a member of the incident analysis team for the FMP (Final Major Project) project at the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI). He also served as the head of the "Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute" for a period. Additionally, he was a member of the editorial board for the quarterly journal of Nuclear Technology and Energy at SBU, head of the Radiation Applications group at the same university, and the authorized representative of SBU on the Permanent Committee for Space Radiation at the Iranian Space Agency (ISA).[4] He also served as head of the Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute for a time.[5][6][7][8]

Feghhi was a faculty member at Shahid Beheshti University's Faculty of Nuclear Engineering[9] since 2008 and became a full professor in 2016. He has also held key positions such as Director of the Radiation Application Group and represented the university on the Iranian Space Organization's Permanent Committee on Space Radiation. In addition to his academic work, Feqhi has held several administrative roles at the university, including Director of Faculty Affairs, Secretary of the Executive Recruitment Board, and Secretary of the Special Audit Board. A respected figure in nuclear physics, he has made important contributions to radiopharmaceutical research, which is crucial in cancer treatment.[5][6]

During his time at SBU, he held various positions, including "Director of Faculty Affairs", "Secretary of the Recruitment Executive Committee", and "Secretary of the University’s Promotion Committee".[10]

Education

The educational stages that Feghhi completed are as follows:[11][12][13]

  • Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering (Energy Specialization)
Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran, October 2008.
  • Master’s in Nuclear Engineering (Energy Specialization)
Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran, June 2003.
  • Bachelor’s in Physics (Nuclear Specialization)
Urmia University, Urmia, Iran, September 2000.

Career

Feghhi, who had been appointed by Mohammad Eslami, the head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, as an advisor and special assistant to the head of the organization, has multiple scientific and research backgrounds, including being a full professor of nuclear physics and a faculty member at the "School of Nuclear Engineering" at Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran. He was the Deputy of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran at the time of his death. He has published various academic books and research articles in the field of nuclear science and technology.[14]

Educational and research career

Feghhi led and successfully completed numerous educational and research endeavors. Some of the activities he undertook in his academic and research career include:[11][4]

No. Title Quantity
1 Master’s students (Graduates) 122
2 Doctoral students (Graduates) 19
3 International articles 137
4 National articles 82
5 Authored and translated books (National and International) 7
6 Completed external research contracts 10

Scientific and executive career

Feghhi's scientific and executive positions were:[11]

No. Position Responsibility Period Institution
1 Secretary of the Selected Committee of the Faculty of Nuclear Engineering 2019–2025 Shahid Beheshti University
2 Editorial Board Member of the Journal of Technology and Nuclear Energy 2018–2025 Shahid Beheshti University
3 Member of the Health, Safety, and Environment Policy Council 2018–2025 Shahid Beheshti University
4 Head of the Radiation Applications Department 2010–2015 Shahid Beheshti University
5 Research and Executive Deputy of the Faculty of Nuclear Engineering 2011–2019 Shahid Beheshti University
6 Elected Representative of the University President in the Working Group for Evaluating the Scientific Capabilities of Faculty Members in the Faculty of Nuclear Engineering 2010–2025 Shahid Beheshti University
7 Member of the Talented Youth Guidance Council 2011–2025 Shahid Beheshti University
8 Scientific Secretary of the Third National Conference on Space Radiation 2013 Iranian Space Agency
9 Authorized Representative of Shahid Beheshti University in the Permanent Committee on Space Radiation 2011–2025 Iranian Space Agency
10 Executor of Scientific and Industrial Projects 2007–2025 Shahid Beheshti University
11 Advisor and Supervisor for Master’s and Doctoral Projects 2005–2025
12 Conducting Workshops on Nuclear Calculations and Measurements 2001–2025 Shahid Beheshti University
13 Teaching Graduate Courses in Nuclear Engineering 2009–2014
  • Sharif University of Technology
  • Shahid Beheshti University
14 Member of the Incident Analysis Team in the FMP Project 2002–2004 Atomic Energy Organization of Iran

Industrial career

He was also very active in the industry and successfully completed various projects and cooperations, including:[4][11]

  • Effective collaboration in the establishment and operation of the first radiation processing site in the private sector of the country.
  • Participation and cooperation in the implementation, establishment, and obtaining of international certifications ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 13485:2016 based on ISO 11137 at the Shahrekord radiation processing system.
  • Design and construction of two-phase gas-liquid flow meters.
  • Design and construction of a two-phase test loop aimed at the fabrication and calibration of two-phase gas-liquid flow meters.
  • Design, construction, and calibration of a coating thickness gauge probe based on the beta backscatter method.
  • Design and construction of a density measurement device using gamma rays for monitoring petroleum products – Patent registered.
  • Design and construction of a laboratory prototype for diagnosing distillation column faults through gamma ray scanning – Patent registered.

Academic honors and achievement

Feghhi was recognized for his excellence in teaching and research, receiving accolades such as the "National Exemplary Professor award" in 2010 and being named a "Distinguished Researcher" at Shahid Beheshti University in both 2010 and 2015.

Feghhi’s academic achievements include the following honors:[15][4]

  • 2019
    • National Distinguished Professor Award (Iran, 2019)
  • 2015
  • 2012
    • First Prize in Developmental Research, 15th Kharazmi Youth Festival (2012)
  • 2011
    • Exemplary Lecturer Award, Shahid Beheshti University (2011)
  • 2010
    • Top Researcher Award, Shahid Beheshti University (2010)
    • Distinguished Researcher at Shahid Beheshti University (2010)
  • 2009
  • 2007
    • Research Fellowship, CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research, 2007)
  • Publications

      He authored/translated specialized books on:

    • Industrial applications of radioisotopes
    • Advanced materials science
    • Steel production technologies

      Published by leading national and international publishers.

Death

Feghhi was one of the people targeted and killed during the attacks carried out by Israel against Iran in June 2025. Following Israel’s morning attack on Iran on June 13, 2025 (Fridays are the weekly holiday in Iran), Feghhi’s personal residence was hit by a missile and he was killed. Another five Iranian nuclear scientists were killed in this attack.[4][16][17] His funeral held on 28 June was set to take place along with those of all the top commanders killed during the Iran–Israel war.[18]

See also

References

  1. ^ فوری؛ معاون سازمان انرژی اتمی ترور شد / امیرحسین فقهی که بود؟ [Urgent; Deputy Director of the Atomic Energy Organization was assassinated / Who was Amir Hossein Feqhi?] (in Persian). Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  2. ^ "قابلیت ایران برای صادرات سامانه‌های شبیه‌ساز راکتور" [Iran's ability to export reactor simulator systems] (in Persian). Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  3. ^ شهادت دکتر سید امیرحسین فقهی؛ رئیس پژوهشگاه علوم و فنون هسته‌ای [The martyrdom of Dr. Seyed Amir Hossein Feqhi, Director of the Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute] (in Persian). June 13, 2025. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e بیوگرافی شهید سید امیرحسین فقهی دانشمند هسته ای + جزئیات ترور [Biography of Martyr Seyyed Amir Hossein Faqehi, Nuclear Scientist + Details of Assassination] (in Persian). June 13, 2025. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  5. ^ a b اولین تصویر از پیکر دانشمند شهید سید امیرحسین فقهی The first image of the body of the martyred scientist Seyyed Amir Hossein Faqhi
  6. ^ a b Feqhi "Iranian Radiopharmaceuticals innovator" Assassinated in Israel's Airstrikes
  7. ^ ۵ دانشمند هسته‌ای که در حمله اسرائیل شهید شدند 5 nuclear scientists who were martyred in the Israeli attack
  8. ^ امیرحسین فقهی، دانشمند شهید هسته‌ای که در حمله جنایتکارانه اسرائیل به شهادت رسید که بود؟
  9. ^ Here Are the Top Iranian Generals and Scientists Targeted and Killed by Israeli Strikes—and What We Know About Them
  10. ^ دکتر فقهی به‌ عنوان سرپرست پژوهشگاه علوم و فنون هسته‌ای منصوب شد [Dr. Feqhi appointed as head of the Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute] (in Persian). Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  11. ^ a b c d سید امیر حسین فقهی، مدیر امور هیأت علمی - دانشگاه شهید بهشتی [Seyyed Amir Hossein Faqhi, Director of Faculty Affairs – Shahid Beheshti University] (in Persian). Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  12. ^ فهرست دانش آموخته‌ها - دانشگاه صنعتی امیرکبیر - دانشکده مهندسی انرژی و فیزیک [List of Graduates – Amirkabir University of Technology – Faculty of Energy Engineering and Physics] (in Persian). Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  13. ^ روسای پیشین پژوهشگاه علوم و فنون هسته‌ای [Former heads of the Institute of Nuclear Sciences and Technologies] (in Persian). Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  14. ^ سرپرست پژوهشگاه علوم و فنون هسته‌ای منصوب شد [Head of the Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute appointed] (in Persian). Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  15. ^ سید امیر حسین فقهی مدیر امور هیأت علمی [Seyyed Amir Hossein Faqhi, Director of Faculty Affairs] (in Persian). Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  16. ^ امیرحسین فقهی، دانشمند شهید هسته‌ای که در حمله جنایتکارانه اسرائیل به شهادت رسید که بود؟ [Who was Amir Hossein Feqhi, the martyred nuclear scientist who was martyred in the criminal Israeli attack?] (in Persian). Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  17. ^ شهادت دانشمند هسته‌ای فعال در حوزه درمان سرطان [Martyrdom of a nuclear scientist active in the field of cancer treatment] (in Persian). Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  18. ^ "Iran to hold funerals for top commanders, scientists killed in Israel strikes: State media". Al Arabiya English. June 25, 2025. Retrieved June 25, 2025.