Iran Executes Man Convicted of Spying for Israeli Intelligence Agency

Iran has executed a man convicted of spying for Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, in the latest move by Tehran to intensify its crackdown on alleged foreign espionage amid heightened regional tensions.

According to Iran’s judiciary-linked news outlet, Mizan, the man was executed on Saturday after the country’s Supreme Court upheld his conviction and death sentence. Iranian authorities identified him as Aghil (also reported as Aqil) Keshavarz, describing him as an agent who worked for Israel’s Mossad and carried out intelligence-gathering operations across several parts of the country State media reported that Keshavarz was arrested earlier this year after being caught taking photographs of sensitive military and security installations. Prosecutors accused him of conducting surveillance missions in multiple Iranian cities, including Tehran and other strategic locations, and of passing classified information to Israeli handlers. Officials also claimed he received payments for his activities through digital currencies Iranian authorities said the execution followed the completion of all legal procedures, insisting that the trial was conducted in line with Iranian law. The judiciary described the case as a major blow to what it called Israel’s covert intelligence network operating inside the country Human rights groups and activists have raised serious concerns about the case. Several organisations argue that individuals accused of espionage in Iran are often denied fair trials and are convicted on the basis of confessions allegedly obtained under torture. Rights groups have repeatedly criticised Tehran for its use of the death penalty, particularly in cases linked to national security and espionage. The execution comes against the backdrop of escalating hostility between Iran and Israel, marked by what analysts describe as a long-running “shadow war” involving cyberattacks, covert operations and intelligence battles across the Middle East. Since mid-2025, Iran has announced the arrest and prosecution of several people accused of collaborating with Israeli intelligence, alongside the introduction of tougher penalties for espionage-related offences. Iranian officials say the measures are necessary to protect national security and deter foreign intelligence operations. Critics, however, argue that the surge in executions reflects a broader pattern of repression and the silencing of dissent under the guise of security concerns. Israel has not commented on the execution, in line with its long-standing policy of neither confirming nor denying intelligence operations abroad. As tensions between Tehran and Tel Aviv continue to simmer, observers say further espionage-related arrests and prosecutions are likely, raising renewed concerns from international human rights organisations over due process and the growing use of capital punishment in Iran.