Iran Executes Three for Alleged Israeli Espionage Amid Rising Tensions
Iran Executes Three for Alleged Israeli Espionage Amid Rising Tensions
In a significant development underscoring the deep-seated animosity between the two nations, Iran has publicly executed three men accused of spying for Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency. Idris Ali, Azad Shojai, and Rasoul Ahmad Rasoul were hanged in Urmia, a city in northwestern Iran, following their conviction for “cooperation favoring the Zionist regime,” the judiciary confirmed.
According to Iranian authorities, the three individuals were apprehended and tried for allegedly attempting to import equipment into the country intended for assassination plots. These executions follow a period of heightened regional tension, particularly since what Tehran describes as the “Iran-Israel war” began on June 13. In the wake of this escalation, Iran had pledged expedited trials for anyone suspected of collaborating with its long-standing rival.
The latest hangings are part of a broader and intensifying crackdown on alleged foreign operatives. Earlier this week, on Monday, Iran executed Mohammadamin Shayesteh on similar charges of working with Israeli intelligence services. Shayesteh was also convicted for his alleged association with Iran International, a London-based Persian-language TV broadcaster known for its critical stance against the Iranian regime.
Further illustrating the scope of the current security operations, police in Qom province announced last week the arrest of 22 individuals purportedly connected to Israeli spy networks. While Iran frequently reports the apprehension and execution of individuals suspected of working for foreign intelligence agencies, particularly Israel, the recent surge in such announcements highlights the current climate.
Human rights organizations continue to express grave concerns over the situation. The Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights has reported that a minimum of 223 people nationwide have been imprisoned on suspicion of collaborating with Israel, cautioning that the true figure may be substantially higher. These recent events contribute to an already alarming human rights record, with human rights groups reporting that Iran executed over 900 people for various offenses in 2024 alone.
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