Iran has executed a man convicted of spying for Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, in the city of Qom, officials from the judiciary announced on Saturday. The execution followed a ruling by Iran’s Supreme Court, which upheld his death sentence after finding him guilty of espionage and treason.
According to the judiciary, the man had been in contact with Israeli operatives since October 2023 and was arrested four months later, in February 2024. Authorities said he provided sensitive information to Israel and conducted “missions” inside Iran on behalf of the Israeli intelligence service.
The convict was charged with “intelligence cooperation with the Zionist regime,” as well as “corruption on Earth” and “enmity against God” — offences under Iran’s Islamic penal code that carry the death penalty. Judicial officials confirmed that the execution took place early Saturday morning in Qom prison after his request for clemency was denied.
Iranian officials maintain that all legal proceedings were carried out in accordance with the law, asserting that the defendant’s conviction was based on “clear evidence” of espionage. However, no additional details about his identity or the specific nature of the information he allegedly passed to Mossad were made public.
The execution is the latest in a growing number of espionage cases in Iran, reflecting Tehran’s heightened efforts to confront what it calls “foreign infiltration.” In recent months, Iran has intensified its crackdown on individuals accused of collaborating with Western or Israeli intelligence agencies, particularly in the aftermath of its brief but intense military confrontation with Israel earlier this year.
Human rights groups have criticised the surge in executions, saying that many defendants are denied fair trials, access to lawyers, and transparent judicial proceedings. They argue that confessions in espionage cases are often extracted under duress and that Iran’s judiciary uses espionage charges to silence dissent and intimidate critics.
Iranian officials, on the other hand, insist that such measures are vital to protect national security. They accuse Mossad and other Western agencies of conducting covert operations aimed at sabotaging Iran’s infrastructure, infiltrating state institutions, and destabilising the country.
Observers say the latest execution underscores Tehran’s determination to demonstrate internal strength amid rising political tensions at home and across the region. The move also highlights the government’s increasing reliance on capital punishment as a tool to assert control and deter perceived threats.
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