Iran Executes Man Convicted of Spying for Israel’s Mossad

Iran has executed a man convicted of espionage for Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, following a decision by the Supreme Court to uphold the death sentence. The execution took place on October 20, 2024, in Qom, a city known for its religious significance, located south of Tehran.

Hojjatoleslam Kazem Mousavi, the chief justice of Qom province, confirmed the execution through the IRNA news agency. He stated that the convicted individual had been found guilty of moharebeh, which translates to “waging war against God,” and corruption on earth. Both charges carry the maximum penalty under Iranian law.

The convicted spy, identified as Bahman Choobi-asl, had reportedly initiated contact with Mossad in late 2023. He was arrested in early 2024 for allegedly transmitting classified information online. Mousavi indicated that Choobi-asl confessed to engaging in meetings with a Mossad officer and sharing sensitive data.

In a broader context, Iran has intensified its crackdown on alleged espionage activities. Earlier this month, six individuals were executed in Khuzestan province for purported terrorism linked to Israel. This follows the execution of another man identified as one of Israel’s top spies, highlighting the ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel.

Another individual, Roozbeh Vadi, was also executed for allegedly passing information about a nuclear scientist who was killed during the ongoing conflict. Reports indicate that at least ten people have faced execution for espionage-related charges since the outbreak of hostilities with Israel in June 2024.

The situation remains fluid, particularly as the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has vowed to respond decisively to recent attacks that resulted in the deaths of several Sunni tribal leaders in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan. According to IRNA, Iran’s security forces are prepared to take swift action against those responsible for these incidents.

As tensions persist, the Iranian government continues to emphasize its commitment to national security and the protection of its interests against perceived external threats. The implications of these executions, both domestically and internationally, will likely continue to unfold in the coming weeks.