Iran executes man it accused of spying for Israel

Iran said Wednesday it executed a man who authorities alleged had been convicted of spying for Israel, amid growing concern over an increase in executions following recent unrest.

According to Iran’s judiciary-run Mizan news agency, Hamidreza Esmailpour was hanged at dawn after being found guilty of passing information to Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad.

Esmailpour was arrested in April 2025 and accused of sharing intelligence with a Mossad operative, purchasing equipment intended to assist Israel in carrying out sabotage operations at Iranian missile sites, and transporting vehicles allegedly rigged with explosives, Mizan reported.

Human-rights organizations say the execution follows a pattern of similar cases. At least 12 people have been executed on espionage-related charges since the end of a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran in June, according to rights groups.

The most recent execution on similar charges occurred on Jan. 7, when Ali Ardestani was put to death after being convicted of sharing information with Mossad, Iranian media reported.

Rights groups have also expressed alarm that protesters arrested during recent nationwide demonstrations could face capital charges. Iran’s judiciary has indicated that some detainees may be prosecuted for crimes punishable by death.

The protests, which erupted in late December over rising living costs, quickly evolved into a broader anti-regime movement. A subsequent crackdown by Iranian security forces has resulted in the deaths of thousands and the arrest of tens of thousands of people, according to international rights organizations.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened to attack Iran in response to the brutal crackdown, said Tehran had assured him it called off some 800 planned executions of people arrested during the protests, but Iran denied making such a pledge.

Iran remains one of the world’s leading executioners. According to figures released by the NGO Iran Human Rights, at least 1,500 people were executed in the country last year, second only to China.