Iran has executed Hamidreza Sabet Esmailpour, who was arrested in April 2025 and convicted of spying for Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, the judiciary announced on Wednesday. Esmailpour was hanged at dawn, according to the judiciary’s Mizan News Agency.
Authorities said Esmailpour was found guilty of passing intelligence to Mossad, purchasing equipment intended for Israeli sabotage operations at Iranian missile sites, and moving vehicles rigged with explosives. This marks one of several executions on espionage charges following Israel’s 12-day war with Iran in June, which revealed vulnerabilities in Iranian security networks.
Rights groups have previously reported that 12 people have been executed on similar charges since the war. Concerns are mounting that protesters arrested during the recent wave of demonstrations could also face the death penalty. The judiciary has indicated that some of those detained could be charged with capital crimes.
Protests erupted in late December over rising living costs but quickly evolved into a widespread movement against the Iranian government. Rights organisations report that the crackdown has already left thousands dead and tens of thousands arrested.
The last known execution on similar charges occurred on January 7, when Ali Ardestani was hanged after being convicted of passing information to Mossad. Iran, which does not recognise Israel, has a history of accusing the country of sabotage against its nuclear program and assassinations of key scientists.
Iran is currently the world’s second-largest executioner, after China, executing at least 1,500 people last year, according to NGO Iran Human Rights. Since the June war, Tehran has pledged swift trials for individuals suspected of collaborating with Israel, raising international concern over due process and the risk of wrongful executions based on coerced confessions.
