Iran executes man accused of spying for Israel

• Iran executed cleric Aqeel Keshavarz for allegedly spying for Mossad, specifically for photographing military sites and planting tracking devices following his 2025 arrest.
• The execution reflects a legal crackdown following the June 2025 Iran-‘Israel’ war, as Tehran implements new laws mandating the death penalty and asset confiscation for those convicted of spying for "hostile entities."

Iranian authorities on Saturday executed a cleric convicted of spying for ‘Israel’, according to the judiciary-linked news agency Mizan Online.

Details of the Allegations

The executed man, identified as Aqeel Keshavarz, was found guilty of "spying for the Zionist entity, communicating and cooperating with this entity, and taking photographs of military and security sites," the agency reported.

The sentence was carried out following ratification by the Supreme Court and the completion of all legal proceedings.

Keshavarz was reportedly arrested between April and May 2025 in northwestern Iran. According to the court’s findings, which included his confessions, his assignments from Mossad officers included photographing target locations, planting tracking devices, conducting surveys, and monitoring traffic patterns on specific routes.

Escalating Tensions and Legal Shifts

The execution comes in the wake of an unprecedented 12-day war in June 2025.

The conflict began on June 13 with ‘Israeli’ strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities, followed by Iranian drone and missile counterattacks.

The United States subsequently joined ‘Israel’ in strikes against Iranian nuclear sites, effectively ending diplomatic efforts between Tehran and Washington to reach a new nuclear agreement.

Since a ceasefire took effect on June 24, Tehran has vowed to fast-track trials for those accused of collaborating with ‘Israel’. At least 10 individuals have been executed on such charges in recent months.

In October 2025, Iran significantly toughened its legal stance. The government introduced new laws specifically targeting espionage for ‘Israel’, the United States, and other "hostile entities."

The updated statutes mandate death sentences and the total confiscation of assets; previously, Iranian law did not name specific countries in espionage cases and did not always require the death penalty.