According to a report by The Times of Israel, Iran has executed a man convicted of collaborating with Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, according to a report from the semi-official Tasnim news agency.
The detainee, identified as Mohammadamin Shayesteh, was put to death following a conviction for espionage and cooperation with a foreign intelligence service.
Shayesteh, who was arrested in late 2023, was described by Iranian authorities as “the head of a cyber-team affiliated with Mossad.” Officials accused him of operating a network tasked with gathering sensitive information for Israel, including data related to national security infrastructure. Specifics of the charges or the evidence presented during his trial were not disclosed by Iranian media.
The execution reflects Tehran’s long-standing policy of imposing the death penalty in cases involving espionage, especially when linked to Israel or the United States — both of which Iran considers primary security threats. It also comes amid soaring tensions in the region following recent US and Israeli military operations targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites.
Iran’s judiciary and intelligence services have previously alleged that Israel’s Mossad agency has recruited Iranians through online platforms and encrypted communication channels. In recent years, Tehran has reported the dismantling of several espionage cells, claiming they were part of broader Israeli efforts to destabilize the Islamic Republic through cyber operations and sabotage.
While Iran often announces arrests and convictions of suspected spies, independent verification of such cases remains limited. International human rights groups have frequently raised concerns about due process, transparency, and the use of torture in Iran’s intelligence and judicial systems.
Shayesteh’s execution follows heightened rhetoric from senior Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who recently accused Israel of committing “a big crime” with its airstrikes and warned that retaliation was coming. The timing of the execution may be interpreted as a signal to Israel and the West that Iran remains defiant and committed to defending itself against perceived foreign subversion.
