Iran on Wednesday executed a man arrested in April 2025 on charges of spying for Israel’s espionage agency Mossad.
The individual, identified as Hamidreza Sabet Esmailpour, was convicted of passing sensitive information to a Mossad agent, providing logistical support for sabotage operations, and transferring classified documents, according to details released by Iranian officials.
This execution took place at dawn on Wednesday, in Iran, amid a surge in such punishments following heightened hostilities, including a direct military confrontation in June 2025 when Israeli and U.S. forces targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities.
The underlying reasons stem from Iran’s longstanding shadow war with Israel, where Tehran accuses its adversary of orchestrating assassinations, sabotage against nuclear sites, and deep intelligence infiltration, prompting swift trials and executions for alleged collaborators.
“Hamidreza Sabet Esmaeilipour who was arrested on 29 April 2025, was hanged for the crime of espionage and intelligence cooperation in favour of a hostile intelligence service (Mossad) through … the transfer of classified documents and information, after the verdict was confirmed by the Supreme Court and through legal procedures,” the judiciary’s Mizan news agency said.
Mizan further alleged that Esmailpour had been involved in “sharing intelligence with Mossad, purchasing equipment with the aim of helping Israel carry out ‘sabotage operations’ at Iranian missile sites and moving vehicles rigged with explosives.”
This case follows a pattern of increased executions, with rights groups reporting at least 12 similar hangings since the June war, amid concerns over opaque trials and confessions potentially obtained under torture.
Recent examples include the execution of Ali Ardestani on January 7, 2026, for relaying sensitive information to Mossad, and another man in December 2025, highlighting the escalation in Iran’s crackdown on suspected spies.
They have also expressed concern that protesters arrested in the wave of demonstrations this month could also face execution. The judiciary has already indicated some of those arrested could face charges of capital crimes.
Protests erupted in late December sparked by concern over the rising cost of living but turned into a mass movement against the Islamic republic that was followed by a crackdown that has seen at least thousands killed and tens of thousands arrested, according to rights groups.
Iran, which does not recognize Israel, remains one of the world’s leading executioners after China, with over 1,500 hangings reported in 2025 alone, fueling international criticism of its judicial practices and human rights record.
