Iran executed two Iranian nationals on Monday after they were convicted of spying for Israel, the country’s judiciary announced, marking the latest in a surge of wartime hangings linked to alleged espionage since the U.S.-Israeli air campaign against Tehran began in February.
The two men, identified as Omid Behzad and Pouria Safvat, were accused of passing sensitive military information and security location coordinates to Israel during both the 12-day war in June and the ongoing broader conflict with Iran, state-run media reported. The judiciary said the executions were carried out after final sentences were upheld by Iran’s Supreme Court.
Since the start of the war, Tehran has ramped up executions of individuals accused of collaborating with Israel, with human rights organizations tracking a significant increase in death sentences linked to national security offences. The Washington Times and AFP both confirmed the executions, citing Iranian state media reports.
Iran’s judiciary has been widely criticized by international observers for its use of the death penalty against political dissidents and those accused of ties to foreign intelligence services. The latest executions come as tensions between Iran and the Western-backed coalition remain at their highest point in decades, with fighting across multiple fronts in the Middle East.
The executions also coincide with ongoing diplomatic uncertainty. President Donald Trump announced over the weekend that he had called off planned strikes on Iran, claiming negotiations would begin Monday. However, Tehran has denied that any formal talks with Washington are taking place, leading Trump to call Iran “unbelievably duplicitous” on Truth Social.
Iran’s domestic crackdown has drawn condemnation from groups such as the Hengaw Organization, which monitors human rights in Iran. The organization said the two men were arrested during the conflict period and sentenced to death on charges of cooperating with Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency.
The wave of executions reflects the Iranian government’s broader strategy of internal repression during wartime, analysts say, as authorities seek to suppress dissent and send a deterrent message to anyone considering cooperation with foreign intelligence services. International human rights organizations have called on Iran to halt the executions and grant fair trial guarantees to those accused of espionage.
The situation remains fluid as the broader regional conflict continues to evolve, with diplomatic efforts by Gulf allies and the United States attempting to find a path toward de-escalation even as Iran carries out domestic military and judicial operations.
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Author: Middle East Desk
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