Iran carried out the execution of Ehsan Afreshteh on Wednesday, convicting him of spying for Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency. The Supreme Court upheld the verdict, leading to his hanging amid heightened regional tensions from the ongoing conflict with Israel and the United States, which began on February 28.
Details of the Espionage Case
Authorities state that Afreshteh received training from Mossad in Nepal before passing sensitive information to Israel. Iranian judicial sources declared, “He was arrested and tried for espionage and collaboration with the Zionist regime,” referring to Israel.
This execution forms part of a wider security operation targeting individuals accused of espionage, terrorism, anti-state actions, and ties to foreign entities. Iran ranks as the world’s second-leading executor of capital punishment, following China.
Recent Wave of Executions
The case follows a series of similar high-profile executions. Earlier this week, officials hanged an aerospace engineering student convicted of spying for both Israel and the United States.
Days prior, authorities executed Abolhassan Montazer and Vahid Baniamerian, accused of Mossad collaboration, plotting attacks, and links to the banned People’s Mujahedin of Iran (MEK).
In March, three individuals faced execution for killing police during anti-government protests. Around the same period, Iran executed Kouroush Keyvani, an Iranian-Swedish dual national charged with Israeli espionage, drawing rebukes from European officials and human rights organizations.
Actions Against Militant Groups
The crackdown extends to militant networks. On Sunday, officials executed Amer Ramesh, a member of the Sunni group Jaish al-Adl, for bombings and ambushes against security forces in Sistan-Baluchestan province.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has vowed severe repercussions for traitors and foreign-backed actors. State media warns members of the Iranian diaspora against government criticism or support for adversarial activities, highlighting Iran’s reliance on capital punishment for national security threats during regional instability.
