Iran Executes Man After Conviction for Spying for Israel

SadaNews - Iran executed a man named Ali Ardestani today, Wednesday, after he was convicted of espionage on behalf of Israel, according to the "Mizan" agency affiliated with the country's judiciary.

In the midst of a covert war with Israel that has lasted for decades, Iran has executed many individuals it accused of being connected to the Israeli intelligence agency (Mossad) and facilitating its operations within the country.

Mizan stated, "The death sentence against Ali Ardestani for espionage in favor of the Mossad, by providing the country with sensitive information, was carried out after approval from the Supreme Court and following legal procedures."

There has been a notable increase in the executions of Iranians convicted of espionage on behalf of Israel recently, following the war between the two sides in June, when Israel and the U.S. attacked Iranian nuclear facilities.

The human rights organization "Iran Human Rights" announced last weekend that Iranian authorities executed at least 1,500 people in the year 2025, indicating an "unprecedented" rise in Tehran's implementation of this penalty.

The number of executions rose from more than 500 in 2022 to over 800 in 2023, then to 975 in 2024, and to at least 1,500 last year, according to the same organization.