As hostilities between Iran and Israel stretch into their 11th day, Iranian authorities have confirmed the execution of a man found guilty of espionage on behalf of Israel.
According to a statement from Iran’s judiciary, Mohammad-Amin Mahdavi Shayesteh was hanged on Monday morning for allegedly engaging in intelligence collaboration with Mossad, Israel’s foreign intelligence agency.
“Mohammad-Amin Mahdavi Shayesteh was hanged this morning for intelligence cooperation with the Zionist regime,” the judiciary said, using Iran’s standard reference for Israel.
Shayesteh was also accused of working with Iran International, a London-based Persian-language broadcaster that has been vocally critical of the Iranian regime.
Authorities in Tehran claim the outlet is linked to Israel, a claim the channel has denied.
During the widespread protests that erupted across Iran in 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini, the government designated Iran International a “terrorist organisation.”
Amini, a young Kurdish woman, died while in police custody after allegedly violating Iran’s mandatory dress code for women, sparking international condemnation and domestic unrest.
“Security-related cases, especially those involving support for the usurping regime (Israel) and acting as a fifth column of the enemy, will be handled more swiftly,” judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei told state television on Sunday.
The same day, the judiciary announced the execution of another alleged Mossad agent, Majid Mosayebi, reinforcing Iran’s ongoing crackdown on what it calls foreign espionage networks.
Iran has a long history of publicly prosecuting individuals it accuses of spying, particularly for arch-rival Israel.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have repeatedly criticized Tehran’s use of the death penalty.
Iran currently ranks as the second-highest executioner globally, following China.
