Iranian authorities reported that an individual they described as an agent of Israel’s Mossad was executed after being convicted of espionage, as Tehran continues an intensified campaign of death sentences against those accused of ties to Israeli intelligence.

According to Iran’s judiciary-affiliated Mizan news agency, Ali Ardestani was put to death after being found guilty of spying for Israel. Iranian officials claimed Ardestani was recruited through cyber channels and carried out assignments for the Mossad in exchange for financial compensation and promises made by his handlers. The report alleged that he transferred sensitive information to Israeli intelligence.

Iranian authorities said Ardestani confessed to receiving digital currency payments at the completion of each task. He was also accused of meeting with a Mossad contact inside Iran, handing over information he had gathered, including photographs and video footage, and then receiving additional assignments.

The judiciary stated that the death sentence was carried out only after approval by Iran’s Supreme Court and following what it described as full legal proceedings. “The death sentence of Ali Ardestani for the crime of espionage in favor of the Mossad intelligence service, through the transfer of sensitive state information, was implemented after confirmation by the Supreme Court and completion of judicial procedures,” the judiciary said.

Iran has significantly increased executions in recent months of individuals accused of cooperating with Israeli intelligence services. Iranian media outlets have reported a sharp rise this year in the number of people sentenced to death on espionage charges linked to Israel.

In a separate case cited by Iranian state television, authorities announced that on December 20, 2025, Iran executed Aqil Kashavarz, who was also convicted of spying for Israeli intelligence and the Israeli military. According to Iranian claims, Kashavarz maintained what officials described as “close intelligence cooperation” with the Mossad and photographed sensitive military and security sites.

Kashavarz was arrested in May while allegedly photographing a military headquarters in the northwestern city of Urmia, approximately 600 kilometers northwest of Tehran. Iranian officials accused him of carrying out more than 200 similar missions for Israeli intelligence across multiple cities throughout Iran, including in the capital.

{Matzav.com}

Jooish News

Jooish News