Reported by Quest FMTV News
Amid escalating conflict with Israel, Iranian authorities on Monday executed a man accused of spying for the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad. The judiciary confirmed that Mohammad-Amin Mahdavi Shayesteh was hanged for “intelligence cooperation with the Zionist regime,” the term Iranian officials use to describe Israel.
Shayesteh was also convicted of collaborating with Iran International, a London-based Persian-language broadcaster that Tehran accuses of having links to Israeli intelligence. Iranian officials have long viewed the station as hostile, especially during the nationwide unrest in 2022 triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini — a young Kurdish woman who died in custody after being arrested for allegedly violating the Islamic Republic’s strict dress code.
During the 2022 protests, Iranian authorities labelled Iran International a “terrorist organisation” for what they claimed was its role in fomenting unrest.
The execution of Shayesteh comes as fighting between Iran and Israel entered its 11th day, with both nations exchanging strikes and harsh rhetoric in a regional conflict that has drawn international concern.
Just a day earlier, Iranian officials executed another man, Majid Mosayebi, also convicted of espionage and ties to Mossad. Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei announced on state television that Iran would accelerate the handling of “security-related” cases involving alleged support for Israel or actions considered to serve as a “fifth column” for the enemy.
“Security-related cases, especially those involving support for the usurping regime and acting as a fifth column of the enemy, will be handled more swiftly,” Ejei stated.
Iran has a long history of announcing arrests and executions of individuals it accuses of working with foreign intelligence services, particularly Israel’s Mossad and Western agencies. These cases often draw criticism from international human rights organisations, which have raised concerns about due process and transparency in the Iranian judicial system.
According to groups like Amnesty International, Iran ranks as the world’s second-highest executor of prisoners, following only China. The recent surge in executions of alleged spies further heightens fears of intensifying repression and retaliation as Tehran grapples with both internal dissent and external conflict.