Iran Executes Man Convicted of Spying for Israel’s Mossad

Tehran: Iran has executed an Iranian national convicted of spying for Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, the country’s judiciary-run news outlet Mizan reported on Wednesday.

The man, identified as Ali Ardestani, was sentenced to death for allegedly passing sensitive and strategic national security information to Israel.

According to Iranian authorities, Ardestani had been arrested several years ago and later confessed during interrogation that he had established contact with Mossad operatives through the internet. Investigators claimed that he shared classified information related to Iran’s strategic installations and nuclear programme in exchange for substantial financial rewards, reportedly amounting to millions of dollars, as well as assistance in obtaining a British visa.

Conviction and Judicial Process

Iran’s judiciary stated that a lower court had found Ardestani guilty of espionage and sentenced him to death. The verdict was subsequently upheld by the country’s Supreme Court, following which the execution was carried out.

Rise in Espionage-Related Executions

The execution comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and Israel, marked by direct and indirect military confrontations and escalating regional hostilities. In recent months, Iran has intensified its crackdown on alleged espionage networks, particularly those accused of working with Israeli intelligence agencies.

Official data and rights groups suggest that Iran has carried out executions for espionage-related charges with increasing frequency, with at least one such execution reported almost every month since June last year. Tehran has accused Israel of targeting its nuclear facilities and security infrastructure, while Iran continues to support Hamas and other allied groups in the Palestinian territories, further straining bilateral relations.

International Reaction

Iran’s use of the death penalty in espionage cases has drawn criticism from international human rights organisations, which have raised concerns over the fairness and transparency of judicial proceedings. Countries including the United States and France have also expressed unease, citing alleged human rights violations and due process concerns.

Iranian authorities, however, have rejected the criticism, maintaining that such measures are essential to safeguard national sovereignty and security in the face of what they describe as persistent external threats.