Iran on Sunday hanged a man who was charged with collaborating with Israel’s Mossad spy agency, amid worsening tensions between the two countries that continued for the 10th straight day. The Iranian judiciary announced that Majid Mosayebi was executed after his death penalty was upheld by the Supreme Court.
The judiciary’s official news agency, Mizan Online, reported that Mosayebi was accused of trying to pass on sensitive information to Mossad. His execution is part of a wave of Iranian arrests of people suspected of spying for Israel that has been continuing for months. The crackdown has become more intensive since June 13, when Israel initiated a bombing campaign against Iran.
In another development on Sunday, judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir announced the arrest of three people in the country’s western Kermanshah province on charges of espionage. Among them is a citizen of a European country, although his name has not been made public.
Jahangir attributed the arrests to prompt action by intelligence agencies, with the support of local people and police. He went on to say that Iran will set up special judicial divisions in provincial prosecutor offices and courts to deal with espionage cases involving Israel. These divisions will work under “extraordinary” circumstances to speed up investigations and trials.
Iran has routinely charged Israel with masterminding secret operations and espionage activities on its soil. In return, Iranian officials have increased counterintelligence activities, particularly during the increased hostilities.
Human rights groups, such as Amnesty International, have consistently condemned Iran for its execution rate. The nation is regarded as the second most active executor in the world, after China.
The execution of Mosayebi and the arrests in Kermanshah signal a growing internal security clampdown as Iran confronts what it views as direct threats from foreign intelligence services. The current regional conflict appears to be intensifying not only across borders but also within Iran’s domestic security landscape.
