Key facts
- Iran executed Hossein Pedaran for espionage and cooperating with Israel's Mossad.
- Pedaran provided intelligence on sensitive military sites in Isfahan province to Mossad.
- Hamidreza Sabet Esmailpour was also executed for spying for Mossad.
- Esmailpour was convicted of sharing intelligence and purchasing explosives for sabotage.
- Ali Ardestani was executed on January 7 for sharing information with Mossad.
Iran executed Hossein Pedaran, who was convicted of providing intelligence on sensitive military sites in the central province of Isfahan to Israel's Mossad for financial gain, the judiciary announced on Saturday. The Supreme Court had upheld his death sentence for espionage and cooperation with the Israeli intelligence service.
Separately, Iran executed Hamidreza Sabet Esmailpour, arrested in April 2025, on charges of spying for Mossad. The judiciary stated Esmailpour was convicted of sharing intelligence, purchasing equipment for sabotage operations at Iranian missile sites, and moving vehicles rigged with explosives.
Rights groups have reported that 12 people have been hanged on similar charges following a 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June. Ali Ardestani was executed on January 7 for sharing information with Mossad. Iran, which does not recognize Israel, has accused its foe of sabotage and assassinations. The June war reportedly exposed Israel's intelligence penetration of Iran, leading to targeted strikes based on intelligence.