Iran has executed Babak Shahbazi, a man accused of spying for Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, according to state media reports on Wednesday. The move highlights Tehran’s intensifying crackdown on alleged espionage activities tied to its long-standing conflict with Israel.
Authorities claimed Shahbazi collaborated with Esmaeil Fekri, who was executed in June for similar charges. Both were accused of working with Mossad since early 2022, supporting intelligence operations against Iran. Shahbazi, who worked as a contractor installing cooling systems, allegedly used his access to sensitive areas, including server rooms and facilities linked to military and security institutions, to gather classified information.
Iran’s judiciary said Shahbazi’s defense team appealed the death sentence to the Supreme Court, but the request was rejected. Human rights organizations have criticized Tehran for carrying out executions following what they argue are unfair trials and coerced confessions.
This latest execution comes amid a surge in Iran’s capital punishments against individuals accused of collaborating with Israel. Reports indicate that at least nine people have been executed in recent months on charges of spying for Mossad. Analysts suggest the wave of executions underscores heightened tensions in the covert conflict between Iran and Israel, often referred to as a shadow war, which involves cyberattacks, assassinations, and sabotage operations.
Iran insists these measures are necessary to protect its national security, while Israel has not officially commented on Shahbazi’s execution. The incident is part of a broader trend reflecting the deepening hostilities between the two countries, as Tehran continues to publicly signal its hard stance against espionage and perceived foreign threats.