Iran Executes Man Convicted of Spying for Israeli Intelligence
TEHRAN, Iran — Iranian authorities executed Aghil Keshavarz, a 27-year-old man convicted of spying for Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, state media reported on December 21. Keshavarz was accused of carrying out more than 200 espionage missions targeting sensitive military and security sites in multiple Iranian cities, including Tehran and Urmia, where he was arrested in May while photographing a military headquarters.
According to Iranian state news outlets, Keshavarz maintained “close intelligence cooperation” with Mossad, Israel’s national intelligence agency, and was responsible for gathering photographic intelligence on Iranian military installations. Following his arrest, Keshavarz was tried in a closed-door court and sentenced to death. The country’s Supreme Court later upheld the sentence, leading to his execution over the weekend.
This execution comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and Israel following a 12-day air conflict in June 2025, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,100 Iranians, including military commanders and nuclear scientists. Israel initiated the conflict with a series of airstrikes, including one on Tehran, which Iran responded to with missile barrages causing casualties in Israel.
Since the June conflict, Iran has executed at least 11 individuals convicted of espionage for Israel. In October, another person was executed in the city of Qom on similar charges. Iranian authorities have a history of conducting secretive trials for espionage suspects, often denying them access to the evidence used against them.
International observers have expressed concern over Iran’s opaque judicial processes in such cases. The executions occur as Iran’s death penalty rate has surged, with more than 1,000 executions reported this year alone, according to human rights organizations.
Espionage cases involving Israel’s intelligence services have long been a flashpoint in Iranian-Israeli relations. The Central Intelligence Agency and Mossad are known for their covert operations in the Middle East, often targeting nuclear and military infrastructure.
The United States government continues to monitor developments closely. The U.S. Department of State has condemned acts of espionage and violence in the region, urging all parties to pursue diplomatic solutions to reduce tensions.
Iran’s judiciary maintains that espionage threatens national security and justifies harsh penalties. The executions underscore the ongoing shadow war between Tehran and Jerusalem, which remains fraught with covert operations and retaliatory strikes.
For more on Middle Eastern security and intelligence matters, visit the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the U.S. Department of Defense websites.
The execution of Aghil Keshavarz marks a grim chapter in the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, highlighting the perilous nature of intelligence operations and the severe consequences faced by those accused of espionage in the region.
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