Esther Imonmion
Iranian authorities have executed a man convicted of spying for Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, in a move likely to intensify already fraught relations between the two regional rivals.
The judiciary confirmed on Wednesday that the man, whose name has not been made public, was hanged after being found guilty of collaborating with Mossad since 2022. Officials accused him of transmitting sensitive information that endangered Iran’s national security.
The execution comes against the backdrop of escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel, both of whom have been locked in a shadow war involving cyberattacks, covert operations, and targeted assassinations. Iran has repeatedly blamed Israel for attacks on its nuclear facilities and for the killings of senior military and scientific figures, including prominent nuclear scientists.
While Tehran frequently arrests individuals it claims are linked to Mossad, rights groups have often raised concerns about the fairness of such trials, pointing to limited transparency and allegations of forced confessions.
The latest execution sends a clear signal of defiance from Iran’s judiciary, which has vowed to act “firmly” against espionage. Analysts say it is also a message to Israel amid heightened regional instability and deepening proxy confrontations.
Israel has not publicly commented on the execution. However, it has long viewed Iran as its most significant security threat, citing Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and support for militant groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas.
Observers note that this case highlights the dangerous undercurrents of espionage and counter-espionage shaping Middle Eastern geopolitics, with both nations locked in a cycle of retaliation and covert operations that shows little sign of easing.