Iran has executed a man convicted of spying for Israel, according to state media, marking the latest capital punishment carried out in the wake of last year’s short but intense conflict between the two adversaries.
The judiciary’s media outlet, Mizan, reported on Saturday that the execution followed confirmation of the sentence by Iran’s Supreme Court. The man, identified as Aghil Keshavarz, was found guilty of cooperating with Israel, gathering intelligence, and photographing sensitive military and security locations, the report said.
Judicial authorities stated that Keshavarz was arrested between April and May in the northwestern city of Urmia and was accused of working with Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency. Officials said the court reviewed what they described as a confession during the trial process.
According to Mizan, prosecutors alleged that Keshavarz carried out a range of tasks on behalf of Mossad handlers, including photographing designated sites, installing tracking equipment, assessing traffic routes, and conducting opinion surveys in targeted areas.
The execution comes after a 12-day conflict that began on June 13, when Israel launched strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities, as well as residential areas. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on Israel, and the fighting later widened when the United States joined Israel in striking Iranian nuclear sites. A ceasefire was announced on June 24.
The clashes marked the first prolonged direct confrontation between Iran and Israel, following years of covert operations and limited exchanges that escalated significantly in 2024. The conflict also disrupted diplomatic efforts between Tehran and Washington aimed at reviving negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.
Since the ceasefire, Iranian officials have vowed to expedite legal proceedings against people accused of collaborating with Israel. Authorities say multiple suspects have been detained and that at least 10 individuals convicted of working with Mossad have been executed.
Iran, which does not recognise Israel, has repeatedly accused it of orchestrating sabotage operations at Iranian nuclear facilities and carrying out assassinations of Iranian scientists.
In October, Iranian lawmakers approved stricter espionage laws, particularly targeting cases involving Israel or the United States. Under the revised legislation, those convicted may face asset confiscation and the death penalty, whereas earlier laws did not single out specific countries or automatically mandate capital punishment for espionage.
