Iran Executes Man for Espionage on Behalf of Israel

Iran carried out the execution of a man, Hamidreza Sabet Esmaeilipour, on Wednesday, accusing him of espionage on behalf of Israel. The execution was announced by the Mizan news agency, a media outlet of the Iranian judiciary. According to the announcement, Esmaeilipour was arrested in April 2025 and sentenced to death for transferring classified documents and information to Israel. Iran has been involved in a “shadow war” with Israel for years and has previously executed individuals accused of collaborating with Israeli intelligence services. These executions have increased significantly since last year, following the direct confrontation between the two countries in June, when Israeli and American forces struck Iranian nuclear facilities. The Iranian judiciary claims that Esmaeilipour's execution was carried out in accordance with all legal procedures and after the decision was upheld by the Supreme Court. However, the move is expected to provoke international reactions and further exacerbate already tense relations between Iran and Israel. This execution is another example of Iran's tough stance towards those it considers to be threatening its national security. The Iranian government has repeatedly accused Israel of supporting terrorist groups and attempting to destabilize the region.