By Emmanuel Nduka
Iran’s judiciary announced on Monday that it has executed a man convicted of espionage for Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, amid escalating conflict between the two longtime adversaries.
The man, identified as Esmaeil Fekri, was arrested in 2023 and found guilty of “corruption on Earth” and “moharebeh” — a charge that translates to waging war against God. According to the judiciary’s official news outlet, Mizan Online, Fekri was executed after exhausting all legal appeals, with the sentence upheld by Iran’s Supreme Court.
The execution comes as tensions soar following a recent Israeli military offensive on Iranian soil.
Israel claims the strikes targeted Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure, resulting in at least 224 deaths, including senior military officials and scientists. In retaliation, Iran launched missile and drone attacks that killed at least 24 people in Israel, according to figures released by the Israeli prime minister’s office.
On the same day as Fekri’s execution, Iranian authorities reported the arrest of two individuals in Alborz province, near Tehran, suspected of collaborating with Mossad. Meanwhile, Israeli officials said they detained two citizens accused of spying for Iranian intelligence.
Iran, which does not recognize Israel, has long accused it of orchestrating sabotage operations and assassinations linked to its nuclear programme.
