Iran’s judiciary on Monday confirmed the execution of Mohammad-Amin Mahdavi Shayesteh, who was found guilty of espionage on behalf of Israel, as the ongoing hostilities between the two nations entered their 11th day.
According to the judiciary’s statement, “Mohammad-Amin Mahdavi Shayesteh was hanged this morning for intelligence cooperation with the Zionist regime,” referring to Israel by its commonly used label in Iran.
Shayesteh reportedly maintained connections with Mossad, Israel’s foreign intelligence service.
Authorities also accused him of collaborating with Iran International, a UK-based Persian-language media outlet critical of the Iranian regime.
Tehran classifies the channel as an Israeli-affiliated entity.
The broadcaster came under heightened scrutiny during the 2022 nationwide protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish woman who died in police custody after being arrested for allegedly breaching Iran’s dress code for women.
The Iranian government subsequently labeled Iran International a “terrorist organisation.”
Tehran has a history of detaining and executing individuals suspected of espionage, especially those it believes are working with foreign intelligence agencies like Mossad.
The judiciary has vowed to expedite such national security cases.
On Sunday, Majid Mosayebi was also executed for allegedly acting as an Israeli agent.
Iran’s judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, emphasized that “security-related cases, especially those involving support for the usurping regime (Israel) and acting as a fifth column of the enemy, will be handled more swiftly.”
International rights organizations, including Amnesty International, rank Iran as the second-highest executor of death penalties, after China.