According to a report by The Punch on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, Iranian authorities have executed a man accused of spying for Israel, as the country continues an intensified crackdown on alleged espionage activities amid rising tensions in the Middle East.………
The Iranian judiciary announced that the man, identified as Ehsan Afreshteh, was executed after being found guilty of collaborating with Israeli intelligence and supplying sensitive information to the country.
According to the judiciary’s Mizan Online news platform, Afreshteh was arrested, prosecuted, and convicted on charges related to espionage and cooperation with what Iranian authorities described as the “Zionist regime.” The report stated that the execution was carried out after the country’s Supreme Court upheld the judgment against him.
“A spy trained by Mossad in Nepal who sold sensitive information to Israel, has been executed,” the judiciary said.
Iranian officials alleged that Afreshteh received intelligence training linked to Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, before engaging in activities considered harmful to Iran’s national security.
The execution is part of a broader wave of security-related actions taken by Iranian authorities since the escalation of conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States earlier this year. Reports indicate that Tehran has increased arrests, prosecutions, and executions involving individuals accused of espionage, sabotage, and cooperation with foreign intelligence agencies.
On Monday, Iranian authorities also reportedly executed an aerospace engineering student convicted on allegations of spying for both Israel and the United States, highlighting the country’s growing focus on internal security matters during the ongoing regional tensions.
International human rights organisations have repeatedly criticised Iran’s use of capital punishment, noting that the country remains one of the world’s leading executioners. Rights groups have also raised concerns over trials linked to national security cases, especially those involving allegations of espionage and political offences.
