Iran executes nan for spying for Israel amid ongoing tensions

By James Ike

Iran has executed a man convicted of espionage for Israel, marking the latest in a series of death penalties since the 12-day conflict in June between the two nations.

Reports have it that the execution of Aghil Keshavarz was carried out after the Supreme Court upheld his sentence.

Keshavarz was accused of collaborating with Israel’s Mossad intelligence service, where he allegedly photographed military and security sites and gathered information on critical infrastructure.

Keshavarz was arrested between April and May in Urmia, a city in northwestern Iran, and was later presented with a confession in court.

The charges against him included photographing sensitive locations, planting tracking devices, conducting opinion polls, and monitoring traffic patterns, all reportedly on the orders of Mossad officers.

This execution comes amidst heightened tensions following Israel's unprecedented attack on Iran in June, which led to a 12-day war.

The conflict escalated as Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes, targeting Israeli military sites, followed by U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The war has derailed diplomatic efforts between Tehran and Washington, aimed at reviving the nuclear deal.

In the aftermath of the war, Iran vowed to take swift action against individuals suspected of cooperating with Israel.

Authorities have executed at least 10 people for alleged espionage and have ramped up penalties for those accused of working with Israel or the United States.

Iran’s recent legislative changes now include the death penalty for espionage, with the confiscation of all assets for those convicted of collaborating with foreign powers.