Iranian state media say Aghil Keshavarz, 27, was executed after being convicted of spying for Israel’s Mossad and elements of the Israeli military. Authorities allege he was arrested in May in Urmia while photographing a military headquarters and had carried out more than 200 intelligence assignments across multiple cities. His death sentence was reportedly upheld by Iran’s Supreme Court. Rights groups say espionage trials in Iran are often closed and defendants may lack access to evidence.
Iran Executes 27-Year-Old Accused Of Spying For Mossad, State Media Say
Iran executed Aghil Keshavarz, 27, after he was convicted of spying for Israel's Mossad intelligence agency.
Iranian state media reported on Saturday that Aghil Keshavarz, 27, was executed after being convicted of passing intelligence to Israel’s Mossad and elements of the Israeli military.
State outlets said Keshavarz was arrested in May in the northwestern city of Urmia while photographing a military headquarters. Authorities accused him of carrying out more than 200 intelligence tasks across several Iranian cities, including Tehran.
According to state media, Keshavarz was tried on espionage charges, sentenced to death and had the sentence upheld by Iran’s Supreme Court. The execution was carried out on Saturday.
A police officer stands guard as demonstrators wave flags and cheer during a gathering following the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, on June 24, 2025, in Tehran, Iran.
Context And Rights Concerns
State media noted this execution is among at least 11 espionage-related executions Tehran says it has carried out since a 12‑day air confrontation in June that Iranian officials say was launched by Israel. Iranian authorities have claimed the June clashes killed roughly 1,100 people in Iran — including military figures and nuclear scientists — and say Iran responded with a missile barrage that it says killed 28 people in Israel. These figures and attributions are those reported by Iranian officials and state outlets.
Human rights groups and independent observers frequently criticize Iran’s handling of espionage cases, saying trials are often closed to the public and defendants may not have access to the evidence prosecutors use.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
