Iran has hanged a man convicted of spying for Israel’s Mossad, the latest execution in a series linked to espionage charges following last year’s war.
PARIS: Iran executed a man on Wednesday for spying for Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency.
The judiciary’s Mizan news agency said Hamidreza Sabet Esmailpour was hanged at dawn after being convicted of passing information to a Mossad agent.
He was arrested in April 2025.
Mizan said his crimes included sharing intelligence and purchasing equipment to help Israel carry out “sabotage operations” at Iranian missile sites.
The execution is the latest in a series following Israel’s 12-day war with Iran in June.
Rights groups say at least 12 people have been hanged on similar charges since the conflict.
The last known execution for spying for Israel was on January 7, when a man named Ali Ardestani was put to death.
Iran has promised swift trials for those suspected of collaborating with Israel since the war. The conflict exposed deep Israeli intelligence penetration, with several key Iranian figures killed in targeted strikes.
Rights groups have long expressed concern that innocent people are executed based on confessions obtained under torture.
They note that the actual Israeli agents conducting operations often remain undetected.
Iran is the world’s second most prolific executioner after China.
The NGO Iran Human Rights reported at least 1,500 hangings in the country last year.
The execution comes amid a major crackdown on domestic protests.
Widespread demonstrations over the cost of living that began in late December have evolved into a movement against the Islamic republic.
Rights groups say the crackdown has killed thousands and led to tens of thousands of arrests.
The judiciary has indicated some protesters could face capital charges.
Iran does not recognise Israel and has long accused it of sabotage and assassinations targeting its nuclear programme.
