Tehran, Iran – Iran executed a man on Wednesday accused of spying for Israel’s Mossad, the judiciary announced. Hamidreza Sabet Esmailpour, arrested in April 2025, was hanged at dawn after being convicted of passing intelligence, procuring equipment for potential sabotage of Iranian missile sites, and moving vehicles rigged with explosives, according to Mizan News Agency.
Rights groups have raised alarm over a series of executions linked to espionage, noting that at least 12 people have faced the death penalty since Israel’s 12-day conflict with Iran in June 2025. There are also concerns that protesters arrested during recent demonstrations could face similar charges, as authorities have indicated that some detainees may be tried for capital crimes.
The protests, which began in late December over rising living costs, quickly escalated into a nationwide movement against the Islamic Republic, prompting a violent crackdown. Human rights organizations report that thousands have been killed and tens of thousands detained in the ongoing repression.
The last execution on espionage charges occurred on January 7, when Ali Ardestani was executed for allegedly sharing intelligence with Mossad. Iran, which does not recognize Israel, has frequently accused its neighbor of sabotaging nuclear facilities and targeting Iranian scientists — claims underscored by intelligence-based strikes during last year’s conflict.
Iran is one of the world’s most prolific executioners, second only to China, with over 1,500 people reportedly executed in 2025, according to NGO Iran Human Rights. Human rights advocates continue to warn that many executed individuals may have been convicted based on coerced confessions, while foreign agents remain largely undetected.
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