Iran Hangs Man Convicted Of Spying For Israel Amid Protests, Rights Groups Say

Iran on Wednesday executed a man identified by the judiciary as Ali Ardestani after convicting him of passing information to Israel's intelligence service, Mossad, the state-affiliated Mizan news agency reported. Authorities said Ardestani received payments in cryptocurrency in return for images, photographs and information about specific locations and potential targets.

The execution is the latest in a series of espionage-related death sentences that rights groups say have surged since a 12-day conflict with Israel in June. That confrontation, Iranian officials say, caused damage to nuclear and ballistic facilities and resulted in the deaths of several senior military and security figures in strikes the government blames on Israeli intelligence.

“The death sentence against Ardestani, like many other executions in Iran, was issued without a fair trial and based on forced confessions, and therefore lacks any legal legitimacy,” said Mahmood Amiry Moghaddam, director of Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR).

IHR said Ardestani’s execution brings to 12 the number of people put to death on charges of spying for Israel since the June conflict began. Rights groups and activists highlight that this is reportedly the first execution on charges of spying specifically for Mossad since widespread protests over rising living costs began in Iran on December 28.

Observers say the timing — amid domestic unrest — has raised alarm that such sentences are being used to intimidate protesters and deter dissent. “The Islamic Republic’s aim in carrying out executions on charges such as espionage, particularly amid ongoing protests, is solely to instil fear among the population,” Amiry Moghaddam added.

Human rights organisations also note broader concerns about Iran’s use of the death penalty. According to IHR figures, Iran is the world's most prolific executioner after China, with at least 1,500 hangings reported last year.

Since the June conflict, Iranian authorities have pledged expedited trials for those detained on suspicion of collaborating with Israel. Tehran, which does not recognise Israel, has long accused Israel of sabotage against its nuclear sites and of assassinating Iranian scientists.

Mizan reported that Ardestani provided material to Mossad, but rights groups warn that allegations of espionage are sometimes leveled against people who may be innocent while the foreign operatives who allegedly gather the intelligence remain undetected. Earlier this week, an account linked to Mossad posted in Persian on X, and in a statement cited by Israeli army radio, urged Iranians to continue protesting and said it was supporting them “on the ground.”