Iran Executes Two Men Over Alleged Espionage and Terror Ties
- The New York Editorial Desk - Arif
- Aug 6
- 2 min read
Tone & Political Bias: Center
Why: The article relies strictly on state-released information and presents it without added commentary or partisan framing.
Spy for Israel: Rouzbeh Vadi Executed
Iran’s judiciary confirmed the execution of Rouzbeh Vadi on Wednesday, accusing him of spying for Israel’s Mossad. According to the state-run judiciary website Mizanonline, Vadi was convicted of relaying classified information about an Iranian nuclear scientist who was later killed in Israeli airstrikes. The report said Vadi met Mossad officers five times in Vienna, Austria.
However, no details were provided about when he was arrested or the identity of the scientist allegedly targeted through the leak. Although Israeli authorities have not commented directly on the execution, Israel’s ambassador to France, Joshua Zarka, stated in June that a 12-day Israeli military operation against Iran had resulted in the deaths of at least 14 Iranian scientists and engineers connected to the country’s nuclear program.
Espionage Cases Amid Iran-Israel Tensions
Vadi’s case adds to a growing list of executions tied to espionage in Iran. Since the beginning of heightened conflict with Israel, at least seven individuals have been hanged for alleged spying. Human rights organizations and observers have raised concerns that Iran may be accelerating politically motivated executions as part of a broader security crackdown during wartime.
Islamic State-Linked Sabotage Plot
In a separate case, Iran also executed Mehdi Asgharzadeh, who was accused of being a member of the Islamic State group and planning sabotage operations within the country. According to Mizanonline, Asgharzadeh had received military training in Syria and Iraq before illegally entering Iran as part of a four-member team.
The group reportedly engaged in an armed confrontation with Iranian security forces, during which the other members were killed. Iranian authorities did not reveal specific details about the intended sabotage or the location of the incident.
Legal Procedures and Government Claims
The Iranian judiciary stated that both executions were approved by the Supreme Court and followed what officials described as “full legal procedures.” There was no mention of defense representation, trial transparency, or international observation in either case. As Iran continues to face external threats and internal unrest, the government appears to be intensifying its use of capital punishment, particularly in national security-related cases.