Iran Executes Man Accused of Sharing Missile Site Information With Israel

Iran has executed a man accused of providing Israeli intelligence with information about Iranian missile sites in the central province of Isfahan.

The judiciary identified the man as Hossein Pedaran, saying he was convicted of espionage and intelligence cooperation with Israel. Authorities said he had supplied Israel’s Mossad intelligence service with information about sensitive military and missile facilities in Isfahan.

Iran’s judiciary said Pedaran’s death sentence had been upheld by the Supreme Court before it was carried out. Officials did not disclose when he was arrested or when his trial took place, while the case had not previously been publicly reported.

The execution comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and Israel following the 12-day conflict that began in late February. Iranian authorities have intensified arrests and prosecutions over alleged espionage and cooperation with foreign intelligence services during the conflict.

According to the Iranian judiciary, Pedaran’s alleged activities involved the transfer of information concerning sensitive military facilities. Authorities also said the espionage was carried out for financial gain.

Isfahan has been particularly significant in the conflict because the province hosts sensitive military and nuclear-related facilities. Several Iranian military and missile sites have been targeted during the fighting.

Iranian authorities have previously announced executions involving people accused of providing sensitive military information to Israel. In August, the judiciary said two other men had been executed after being accused of passing the coordinates of sensitive military and security installations to Israel.

The latest execution also comes against the backdrop of heightened domestic tensions in Iran following nationwide protests earlier in the year. Iranian authorities have linked a number of arrests and criminal cases to both the unrest and alleged foreign involvement.

The cases have drawn international attention, particularly from human rights organisations that have raised concerns about Iran’s use of the death penalty and the handling of espionage cases.

Iran maintains that those convicted of cooperating with foreign intelligence services pose a serious national security threat and should face severe punishment under its laws.